101st US Colored Infantry

The 101st US Colored Infantry was part of the Veteran Reserve corp or Invalid Corps. Men served in the 101st who were not healthy enough to serve in regular regiments, but no so unwell that they needed to be discharged. Typical reasons for such a transfer were old age, rheumatism, hernias, heart disease and hemorrhoids. The Invalid Corps of the Civil War period was created to make suitable use in a military or semi-military capacity of soldiers who had been rendered unfit for active field service on account of wounds or disease contracted in line of duty, but who were still fit for garrison or other light duty, and were, in the opinion of their commanding officers, meritorious and deserving.[3]

OVERVIEW:

Organized in Tennessee at large September 16, 1864. Attached to Defences of Louisville & Nashville Railroad, Dept. of the Cumberland, to March, 1865. Dept. of the Tennessee to January, 1866.

SERVICE:

Duty at Nashville, Tenn., till October, 1864; then guard Louisville & Nashville Railroad, and duty in Tennessee and Alabama till muster out. Affairs at Scottsboro and Larkinsville, Ala., January 8, 1865. Mustered out January 21, 1866.


Company A.

  • Pvt. Isaac Cruther (Carothers) enlisted in Company A of the 101st US Colored Infantry on October 11, 1864, in Nashville. He was born in Williamson County around 1835 and was described as a 29-year-old laborer on his enlistment papers. He was reported absent without leave on October 16, 1864, and declared a deserter on December 1, 1864.

  • Pvt. Aaron Hightower transferred into the regiment from 12th USCI Company K on April 14, 1864, due to "defective eyesight." He was born in Williamson County and mustered out on January 21, 1866 in Nashville.

  • Pvt. Joseph Matthews II, enlisted in Company A of the 101st US Colored Infantry on September 12, 1863, in Nashville.

  • Pvt. Preston Moss, initially enlisted in the 15th USCI Co D, on December 31, 1863 in Columbia. He was born in Williamson County in 1832 and was a 31-year-old farmer. He transferred to 101st USCT on Aug. 11, 1864, on account of disability. In the regiment he was on detached duty providing service in Nashville at the Refugee Home and the Cumberland General Hospital. In May of 1865, he became sick and was sent to the Wilson General Hospital.

  • Pvt. Warren Swansey transferred from the 12th US Colored Infantry on June 20th 1864. He was born in Franklin and 22 years old.


Company C

  • Pvt. Charles Gouch (Gooch?), 16th USCI Co G, December 30, 1863, born in Williamson County in 1825, enlisted in Clarkesville. b. about 1825; 38 year old farmer; Feb. 16, 1864 sick in Pest Hospital in Clarkesville; transferred to invalid corp 101st USCI Co C May 26, 1864; May 30, 1864 – “During the last two months the soldier has been unfit for duty 60 days. He has been in Hospital under care of this surgeon most of this time since enlistment and physically disabled for service in the field.”- Chattanooga, Tenn. ; Nov/Dec. 1864 returned to Duty; detailed as a guard; mustered out January 21, 1866 in Nashville pension document