First Tennessee Company K - Lincoln County

The Company was organized in April from men in Lincoln County and enrolled
in that place on 29 April 1861, joining the rest of the regiment shortly
thereafter. It was nicknamed "The Boon's Creek Minute Men" or "Boon's Hill
Minute Men". Additional information from muster roll compiled by Jacob
Turney and submitted by Henry T. Childs in Fayetteville, Lincoln County
care of Jim Ainsworth. This is marked as (*) on the rosters. Officers at
the organization were:

Captain         Newton C. Davis

Second Lieutenant       Joseph G. Davidson

Movement of Company Officers

Davidson, Joseph G.             2nd Lt, killed 22 May 61

The "Fayetteville Observer" for 9 May 1861 printed a list of those members
of the company at muster.

We the undersigned constitute ourselves Minute Men for the service of the
Confederate States of America. We pledge our honor and all that is near and
dear to us, to stand by this obligation at all hazards, and sign with the
full knowledge of the fact that Peter Turney has authority from the War
Department of the Confederate States to raise a Regiment of Tennessee
Volunteers for its service, and we are to be ready to march at the shortest
notice from the said Tennessee whenever, wherever and however the occasion
may require.
Let him who backs down be published to the world as a coward, and the fact
thrown into the teeth of his kith, kin, and children. As soon as the list
shall receive all the names that can be obtained, the Captain is to report
to Peter Turney at Winchester, who will report to the proper department.
The names must be rapidly obtained, as we are subject to a call at any day:

J G DAVIDSON            2d       Lieutenant

DAVIDSON, Joseph G. Second Lieutenant. Enrolled 29 Apr 61 at Lincoln
County, aged 22; killed on 18 May 61 ["murdered by Joseph C. Taylor on 18
May 1861 at Lynchburg, Va."]; replaced by Jacob B. Turney. Believed to have
attempted to come between a fight of two privates and killed by Taylor.
According to correspondence with Jim Ainsworth of Fayetteville, Taylor was
drunk at the time and when Lieut. Davidson attempted to get him back to his
quarters, Taylor shot him, the ball striking Davidson in the chest, killing
him instantly. Because of the lack of witnesses, the case against Taylor
was dismissed. He returned to Lincoln County, was arrested and executed,
unrepentant. See roster of Taylor in this Company for more information.
(MNOT*)

TAYLOR, Joseph C. Private. Enrolled 29 Apr 61 at Winchester, aged 38;
absent in prison at Lynchburg, Va., for the murder of Joseph G. Davidson,
18 May 61, another member of the Company; hung at Boons Hill, 18 Oct 61.
Also shows in (N) as Joseph G. An article in the "Fayetteville Observer"
for 24 October 1861, p3, stated:

"THE END OF A DESPARATE MAN
Joseph C. Taylor was hung by a portion of the people of this county near
Boon's Hill on last Saturday, for killing 2d Lieut. J.G. Davidson at
Lynchburg, Va., on Saturday, the 18th of May last. Taylor was arraigned for
trial at Lynchburg, but because of the absence of witnesses, who belonged
to the army, we are told, the case was dismissed. He returned to this
county on Monday of last week, was arrested on Friday night, and executed
as we have stated. A man residing in that section of the county where he
made his home, said if Taylor had returned expressing regret for what he
had done, and avowing his desire to live as a peaceful citizen, he would
not have been molested. But instead of that, he came back breathing
defiance, and threatening the lives of some of our citizens; and the
community felt that, in self-defence, his career ought to be stopped. He
forfeited the protection of the law, and paid the penalty. He was generally
considered a recklessly bad man. The foregoing statement is based on
information derived from others, as we cannot speak from our own knowledge." 
(NOT*)

Confederate Pension Applications

In 1891 the state of Tennessee enacted legislation which established a
Board of Pension Examiners, whose membership consisted of the State
Comptroller, the Attorney General, and three ex-Confederate soldiers
recommended by the Tennessee Division of Confererate Veterans and Appointed
by the Governor. These me had the authority to decide if a Confederate
veteran applying for a pension was incapable of "making a support" and if
his service was honorable.
The burden of proof rested with the veteran. 
These Pension Applications and their supporting papers contain information
of much interest to genealogists.
Pensions for Widows were first issued in 1905. Their applications show
place of birth for both widow and husband, most have names and ages of
children. Proof of marriage also found. 
The Board kept three separate rolls, one for soldiers, one for Widows and
one for colored soldiers. 

Index to Tennessee Confederate Pension Applications

Davidson, A. L., 14528, Gibson Co., 31st Inf.


Davidson, Andrew, 2666, Sullivan Co. 19th. Inf.


Davidson, Elias, 631, Jackson Co., 17th Inf.


Davidson, G. N., 10149, Gibson Co., 19th & 20th Cav.


Davidson, J. C., 7872, Gibson Co., Caruther's Battery, Hvy. Art.


Davidson, John F., 2739, Hawkins Co., 12th (Day's) Cav


Davidson, John M., 16160, Maury Co., 48th Inf.


Davidson, Robert, 5365, Hancock Co., 12th Cav.


Davidson, Rufus E., 726, Coffee Co., 23rd Inf.


Davidson, Thomas C., 9410, Henry Co., 1st Ky. Battery


Davidson, W. A., 7417, Chester Co., 52nd Inf.




Davidson, Eliza Ann, 3027, Sullivan Co., Davidson, Andrew 


Davidson, Elizabeth, 5359, Chester Co., Davidson, William A.


Davidson, Ella M., 4899, Bedford Co., Davidson, Hugh Albert


Davidson, Nettie, 367, Davidson Co., Davidson, Benjamin w. 


Davidson, Sarah Elizabeth, 4490, Montgomery Co., Davidson, John Wesley


Davidson, Simie E., 5719, Lincoln Co., Davidson, George W.


Davidson, Thalia (Stain), 10859, Shelby Co., Stain, William Fletcher


Transcribed by - Maxine Reggio