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| Capt. Loudermilk |
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| NARA |
Garner N. Loudermilk: born 1818, Knox Co., Tennessee; mustered into Confederate service as a Lt. on July
19, 1862, Company B, Walker's Battalion, Thomas' Legion of Indians and Highlanders; promoted to Captain March 5, 1863, transferred to Company H, Walker's Battalion,
Thomas' Legion of Indians and Highlanders; died June 3, 1883, Arkansas; buried at Mt. Zion Cemetery, Greenwood, Sebastian Co., Arkansas. He served during the "The Trail of Tears" in 1838; his headstone was inscribed "Aged About 55" and appears to be incorrect since his age was
closer to 65.
On Feb. 22, 1864, Major (later Lt. Colonel) James A. McKamy wrote to Samuel Cooper (A&IGO). He stated that on Feb. 14, 1864, Captain Garner N. Loudermilk of Company H, Walker's
Battalion deserted to the Federals, and McKamy further stated that on Feb. 14, 1864, Loudermilk also signed the United States' Oath of Allegiance. In the same correspondence, McKamy stated that Captain William B. Nelson
of Company B, Walker's Battalion deserted and refused to return to the command (they
were the highest ranking officers to desert from Thomas' Legion).
Captain
Garner N. Loudermilk: Narrative
Courtesy of Stephanie Tanner Davis
(Click to Enlarge)
Garner N. Loudermilk
(Click to
Enlarge)
Photographed by
the Editor
Notes:
1850 Federal Census of Cherokee Co., N.C.
Enumerator: John Rolen
399 LOUDERMILK
.... George W....38 m...Farmer...TN
.... Narcissa...27 f......GA
.... William A....10
m......NC
.... Eliza A....5 f......NC
.... Lorenzo M....2 m......NC
Torrance, Matilda...56 f......GA
Brannnum,
John F....15 m......NC
400 LOUDERMILK
.... Garner N....33 m...Farmer...TN
.... Nancy...27 f......TN
.... James...11
m......NC
.... George...9 m......NC
.... Madison...7 m......NC
.... Emeline...5 f......NC
(continued)
p.62 - 32A
.... Elizabeth...3 f......NC
.... Garner...6/12 m......NC
Recommended Reading: Mountain
Rebels: East Tennessee Confederates and the Civil War, 1860-1870 (240 pages) (University of Tennessee Press). Description: In this fine study, Groce points out that the Confederates in East Tennessee suffered
more for the ‘Southern Cause’ than did most other southerners. From the first rumblings of secession to the redemption
of Tennessee in 1870, Groce introduces his readers to numerous men and women from this region who gave their all for Southern
Independence. Continued below...
He
also points out that East Tennesseans were divided in their loyalties and that slavery played only a small role. Groce goes
to great lengths to expose the vile treatment of the Region’s defeated Confederates during the Reconstruction. Numerous
maps, pictures, and tables underscore the research.
Recommended
Reading: War at Every Door: Partisan Politics and Guerrilla Violence
in East Tennessee, 1860-1869. Description: One
of the most divided regions of the Confederacy, East Tennessee was the site of fierce Unionist
resistance to secession, Confederate rule, and the Southern war effort. It was also the scene of unrelenting 'irregular,'
or guerrilla, warfare between Union and Confederate supporters, a conflict that permanently altered the region's political,
economic, and social landscape. In this study, Noel Fisher examines the military and political struggle for control of East Tennessee from the secession crisis through the early years of Reconstruction, focusing particularly
on the military and political significance of the region's irregular activity. Continued below...
Fisher portrays
in grim detail the brutality and ruthlessness employed not only by partisan bands but also by Confederate and Union troops under constant
threat of guerrilla attack and government officials frustrated by unstinting dissent. He demonstrates that, generally, guerrillas
were neither the romantic, daring figures of Civil War legend nor mere thieves and murderers, but rather were ordinary men
and women who fought to live under a government of their choice and to drive out those who did not share their views.
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