There is a fairly recently published book, "The Last Confederate General, John C. Vaughn and his East Tennessee Cavalry," Larry Gordon, Zenith Press, 2009.
Vaughn was the High Sheriff of Monroe County, on the outbreak of the war, was present at the firing on fort Sumter, organized the 3rd Tennessee Infantry, his brigade consisting of the 60th, 61st, and 62nd Tennessee Infantry regiments suffered heavily in the battles of Champions Hill and the Bib Black River on Pemberton's retreat into Vicksburg, where his depleted brigade manned the NW section of the siege line at Fort Hill.
Upon exchange, his brigade was merged with A. W. Reynold's consisting of the 3rd, 31st/39th, 43rd and 59th Tennessee regiments along with an assortment of lesser units. Vaughn wrote to Jeff Davis requesting they be reformed as a Cavalry brigade. Over the objection of Longstreet, they were, and served the rest of the war as cavalry. They entered the 1864 Shenandoah campaign with Jubal Early, first at the battle of Piedmont, June 5, 1864, serving though the battle of Fisher's Hill.
Vaughn's brigade was one of the cavalry units which escorted Jeff Davis from Charlotte, N. C. until he disbanded his escort.
In a letter to Col. Lilliard, 3rd Tenn., Gen. Vaughn wrote:
Washington, Ga
May 10, 1863
Col.
I have just returned from Augusta, Ga where I accomplished everything that we desired finding that the command had moved several miles from town and being very much fatigued I will not come on. This I regret as It would have given me pleasure to have again met you and the members of my command. You will please give my sincere thanks to both the officers and men of my command who have followed me this far. I shall ever remember with pride and gratitude the [unintelligible] men who have proven themselves true to the last. Again you and the entire command accept my heart felt wishes for your future prosperity and happiness.
I am Very Respectfully,
Your Obt. Sevt.
John Vaughn
Brig. Genl.
(lilliard Papers, 99)
Vaughn, John Crawford, Brig. Gen., born February 24, 1824 Madisonville, Tenn. [Grayson Co.,Virginia], married Nancy Ann Boyd 1847 which union produced three daughters, Capt. Co. C, 5th Reg. of Tennessee Vol. Infantry Mexican War, prospected in California starting out in 1850, built a hotel and store-house in Sweetwater, Tenn. 1854, elected sheriff 1859, removed from the Sweetwater post-office March 1861 as “ . . . he is too strong a democrat for Lincoln,” present at Charleston, S. C. observing the bombardment of Fort Sumter, raised the first Confederate company from Monroe Co. becoming Captain, elected Colonel of 3rd Tennessee infantry, promoted Brig. Gen. September 29, 1862, post war relocated to New York ------------------, following the death of his wife in 1869 he returned to Tennessee, received Democratic nomination for senator in 1871 from the Seventh Senatorial District comprising the counties of Meigs, McMinn, Polk, and Monroe, subsequently served in the Thirty-seventh General Assembly which began its session in Nashville, October 1, 1871, elected Speaker of the Senate, married Florence Johns of Thomasville, Ga. which union produced one daughter, settling in Thomasville, died September/October 10, 1875, light hair, blue eyed (161, pp. 325 et seq, Athens Post, March 22, 1861, 255, p. 511)
Vaughn, John C., Capt., Co. C, Capt. Vaughn’s Co., 5 Regt. (McCellan’s) Tenn. Inf., joined for duty and enrolled November 9, 1847 at Athens, Tenn. for the period “War with Mexico”, present at December 2, 1847 muster at Knoxville, Tenn., appears on muster rolls from Nov. 9, 1847 to Feb 29, 1848, paid April 30, 1848, mustered out July 20, 1848 at Memphis, Tenn. July 20, 1848, age 24 (M638 Roll 14)] Company was stationed at San Juan, Mexico November 9, 1847 to February 29, 1848 and then again on April 30, 1848 (M638 Roll 13)
I have seen, but failed to document, that Vaughn and Davis became warm friends during the Mexican War.