Individual Details

Military

Ben. F. Welcker - Kincaid's Co., Welcker's Battalion, Tennessee Cavalry.
Confederate Company
Soldier's Rank_In Captain Soldier's Rank_Out Major
Film Number M231 roll 46

Benjamin F. Welcker - 26 Tennessee Infantry. (3 East Tenn. Vols.)
Confederate
Company I Soldier's Rank_In Captain Soldier's Rank_Out Captain
Film Number M231 roll 46

26th Infantry Regiment completed its organization in September, 1861, at Camp Lillard, near Knoxville, Tennessee. The men were recruited in the counties of Washington, Cocke, Grainger, Rhea, Hamilton, Knox, Roane, and Sullivan. It moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky, then Fort Donelson where on February 16, 1862, most of the men were captured. After the exchange it was assigned to G.J. Pillow's, J.C. Brown's, Brown's and Reynolds' Consolidated, and Palmer's Brigade, Army of Tennessee. In April, 1863, the unit was reduced to eight companies and in October consolidated with the 18th Regiment. It participated in the difficult campaigns of the army from Murfreesboro to Atlanta, returned to Tennessee with Hood, but was not engaged at Franklin and Nashville. Later the regiment was involved in the North Carolina operations. At Fort Donelson it reported 96 casualties of the 400 engaged before being captured. The 26th had 110 men disabled at Murfreesboro and of the 229 engaged at Chickamauga, forty-three percent were killed, wounded, or missing. During December, 1863, the 18th/26th totalled 423 men and 290 arms. Only a remnant surrendered in April, 1865. The field officers were Colonels John M Lillard and Richard M. Saffell; Lieutenant Colonels Abijah F. Boggess, James L. Bottles, and James J. Odell; and Major Thomas M. McConnell.

Census

Age 59