Our Green/Greene line begins with Nancy Belle Green Holt, my great grandmother, who was born on 8 June 1875 in Cocke County, Tennessee and died on 8 June 1937 in Knoxville, Tennessee. She is buried in the Morganton Cemetery in Greenback, Blount County, Tennessee. She was the daughter of Wade Green and Fannie Melissa Arms who were married on 6 September 1873. Melissa was born on 5 November 1852, probably in Rutherford Co., North Carolina, and is the daughter of Oliver Arms, Sr. and *Nancy Williams. Oliver was born on 26 March 1816 in Massachusetts and died on 26 November 1887 in Cocke County. Nancy was born 4 June 1823 and died on 15 February 1880. Oliver and Nancy are buried at Clay Creek Baptist Church. Wade was first married to Martha ------ who died while he was in the army during The War of Southern Independence. (* I did find a reference in the Berryhill Family Papers at Chapel Hill, NC (#M-2857) that mentions an Oliver Arms of Lincoln Co., NC and his prenuptial correspondence with an Elizabeth Sprague of Massachusetts, 1838-1840. I did an inter-library loan in order to read the papers, but found that they were hardly legible. According to Garry Griffin, Oliver Arms, Sr.'s first wife was Elizabeth Sprague of Deerfield, Massachusetts. In an email he said, "I can also confirm the marriage between Oliver ARMS, Sr. & Elizabeth SPRAGUE - ARMS, Oliver, Male, married Elizabeth SPRAGUE, 22 Sep 1840 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts - Massachusetts Marriages, 1633-1850. Elizabeth Sprague ARMS had died by 28 December 1847 when Oliver married his 2nd wife Nancy Ann WILLIAMS." (Mother of Fannie Melissa Arms)
Wade Green(e) is my 2nd great grandfather. His first name may have been William according to Wanda Wilson of Newport. He was born on the 6th of August 1833 in Cocke Co. and died on 15 July 1905. He is buried at Clay Creek Baptist Church near Bybee in Cocke County, Tennessee. Wade's parents were John and Martha Maria Hampton Green. Her father was Job Hampton. The following is a story passed on to me by Bernice Davies via email on 24 Feb. 1999 regarding John Green, which came from THE REDIC FAMILY HISTORY OF COCKE COUNTY, TENNESSEE:
"John Green (1805) was an orphan lad. He was raised by another family. When he was twenty-one years old he was given a horse and saddle, suit of clothes and ten dollars in money. This was all he had when he married. He started into the racehorse business and made money and bought more horses until he was quite well to do. Once, while riding his favorite horse and urging him to do his best running, the horse ran into a tree and broke his neck. Before dying the horse looked at Mr. Green and whinnied, this almost broke Mr. Green's heart. He swore never to run another horse, this he lived up to. He died worth $12,000. He died in 1860." (John is listed as having been born in South Carolina. Was sick sixteen days and died of Consumption/T.B. in January of 1860. Died one year prior to 1 June 1860 according to the 1860 Mortality Schedule, Tennessee)
"John Redic married Jaily Green whose father and mother was John Green and Martha Maria Green. They were natives of Old Virginia. Martha Maria's name before she was married was Hampton. Her father Jobe Hampton had three brothers, Wade, John, and Will (William). Martha had only one sister who went to the spring one day for water. She had to draw it with a rope and pail. The pail was too heavy for her to handle. Some neighbor saw the pail fall back into the spring, taking the girl with it into the well. In their excitement they ran to the house and when her parents got her out she was dead. This left only Martha who later married a man named John Green. To this union were born eleven children, all of whom lived to a ripe old age."
I discovered that Wade Green had fought during The War for Southern Independence with Co. C, 8th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry. Not only did he fight, but it also seems that four brothers fought as well. Brother's Joseph, Wesley, Alfred, and William fought with the same regiment and company. Brother John Green may have served as well. Capt. Thomas Bible's roster of Company C spells their last name "Greene." The following is a brief account of the history of the 8th Tennessee and Wade's experiences during his term of service. A further glance at Captain Thomas Bible's diary of Co. C, 8th Tennessee gives a better view of what these men experienced.
Wade Green mustered into service on 15 May 1863 at Camp Dick Robinson, Kentucky. According to company muster rolls Wade was "sick in hospital at Crab Orchard, Kentucky" during July and August of 1863. The May and June roll indicates that he was "at hospital, Chattanooga Tenn. Wounded in action at Resaca, Georgia May 14, 1864." According to his pension records, Wade lost his little finger during this battle. He complained of how this wound hurt, cracked and bled during the winter. Wade's brother Wesley was wounded on the 4th of August at the battle of Utoy Creek, Georgia. Wade was again "sick in hospital, Knoxville, Tenn. Since May 14, 1864." Being sick was a typical experience for the Civil War soldier. His regiment was stationed at various places throughout the war such as Nicholasville and Lexington, Kentucky, Greenville, Jonesboro, Strawberry Plains, and Knoxville, Tennessee. An inspection report during their stay in Knoxville on 27 Feb. 1864 stated that the 4th and 8th Tenn. Regiments were "in bad condition as regards appearance, discipline, and drill." The 8th moved by train on the 26th of April to Red Gap, Georgia for the beginning of the Atlanta Campaign.
The regiment was heavily engaged at Resaca on May 14 where Wade was wounded. Although almost constantly engaged for the next three months, the heaviest fighting for the regiment came with its attempt to cross Utoy Creek on the 6th of August 1864. Brigadier Gen. Reilly wrote "Where all behaved so gallantly, it is very difficult to give special mention to any, but I cannot, in justice, neglect to bear official testimony to the gallant and heroic conduct of the 8th Tennessee Infantry Officers and men. The list of casualties, however, is their best eulogy, when it is known that the regiment went into the charge with but 160 muskets." Captain James W. Berry stated that, "the regiment entered this charge with 223 men, lost 26 killed, five mortally wounded, 36 wounded, and 16 missing, making a total of 83 casualties. In this serious charge the officers and men of the regiment exhibited in the highest degree the bravery, discipline, presence of mind which characterizes veteran troops." The regiment moved on to Decatur, Georgia September 8th where it stayed for a few months.
The regiment moved into Chattanooga, Pulaski and then took part in the fighting from Pulaski, to Columbia, to Spring Hill, to Franklin, and finally to Nashville. The 8th suffered seven casualties at Franklin. During the battle of Nashville on December 16th, 1864 the regiment made a charge and captured four pieces of artillery and about 200 or 300 prisoners. Early in 1865 the regiment helped take Wilmington, North Carolina and occupied this city until it moved on to Newbern, Goldsboro, and then to Raleigh, North Carolina. Wade and his regiment were mustered out of service at Company Shops, North Carolina on the 30th of June 1865.
No mention is made as to Wades return trip back to his home in Cocke Co. Also, it is not really known why he decided to fight with the Federal Army. Many fought to save the Union, others fought to protect their homes and family, some fought because they would be deemed cowards if they didn't, still others joined up for the adventure and excitement and to escape the boredom of farm life, and some actually believed that slavery was wrong. Many were enticed to join by the promise of a bounty and had no particular allegiance to anything but their monthly pay. For whatever reason Wade Green fought I am proud of him, regardless of the side he chose to fight for. It is his courage, strength, and determination that I honor. We are not likely to see such displays of shear bravery and undying loyalty to ones country and homeland as was exhibited by these men who fought during The War of Southern Independence. I have reenacted many of the battles that Wade and the 8th Tennessee were involved in and have experienced first hand what they experienced and how they suffered. Though my experiences and sufferings are laughable compared to those of my ancestors who fought during The War of Southern Independence, they are plenty enough to make me appreciate their sacrifices. It is for this reason that I had a veterans stone placed at Clay Creek Baptist Church to honor the memory of Wade Green. It would be well that we should all have to live these experiences for just one weekend.
Family tradition has it that while Wade was away three of his daughters where raped by Confederate soldiers. Atrocities such as this, in addition to brutal guerrilla warfare, political differences and opinions regarding slavery and secession were common and extreme in East Tennessee. Several people have repeated the story of said rapes, but I believe that they are mistaken about Wade Green's daughters being raped. Those mentioned were too young at the time to have borne children, or were not born during the war years. The story may be true, but I tend to believe that those involved may have been Wade's sisters.
Wade Green(e) is my 2nd great grandfather. His first name may have been William according to Wanda Wilson of Newport. He was born on the 6th of August 1833 in Cocke Co. and died on 15 July 1905. He is buried at Clay Creek Baptist Church near Bybee in Cocke County, Tennessee. Wade's parents were John and Martha Maria Hampton Green. Her father was Job Hampton. The following is a story passed on to me by Bernice Davies via email on 24 Feb. 1999 regarding John Green, which came from THE REDIC FAMILY HISTORY OF COCKE COUNTY, TENNESSEE:
"John Green (1805) was an orphan lad. He was raised by another family. When he was twenty-one years old he was given a horse and saddle, suit of clothes and ten dollars in money. This was all he had when he married. He started into the racehorse business and made money and bought more horses until he was quite well to do. Once, while riding his favorite horse and urging him to do his best running, the horse ran into a tree and broke his neck. Before dying the horse looked at Mr. Green and whinnied, this almost broke Mr. Green's heart. He swore never to run another horse, this he lived up to. He died worth $12,000. He died in 1860." (John is listed as having been born in South Carolina. Was sick sixteen days and died of Consumption/T.B. in January of 1860. Died one year prior to 1 June 1860 according to the 1860 Mortality Schedule, Tennessee)
"John Redic married Jaily Green whose father and mother was John Green and Martha Maria Green. They were natives of Old Virginia. Martha Maria's name before she was married was Hampton. Her father Jobe Hampton had three brothers, Wade, John, and Will (William). Martha had only one sister who went to the spring one day for water. She had to draw it with a rope and pail. The pail was too heavy for her to handle. Some neighbor saw the pail fall back into the spring, taking the girl with it into the well. In their excitement they ran to the house and when her parents got her out she was dead. This left only Martha who later married a man named John Green. To this union were born eleven children, all of whom lived to a ripe old age."
I discovered that Wade Green had fought during The War for Southern Independence with Co. C, 8th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry. Not only did he fight, but it also seems that four brothers fought as well. Brother's Joseph, Wesley, Alfred, and William fought with the same regiment and company. Brother John Green may have served as well. Capt. Thomas Bible's roster of Company C spells their last name "Greene." The following is a brief account of the history of the 8th Tennessee and Wade's experiences during his term of service. A further glance at Captain Thomas Bible's diary of Co. C, 8th Tennessee gives a better view of what these men experienced.
Wade Green mustered into service on 15 May 1863 at Camp Dick Robinson, Kentucky. According to company muster rolls Wade was "sick in hospital at Crab Orchard, Kentucky" during July and August of 1863. The May and June roll indicates that he was "at hospital, Chattanooga Tenn. Wounded in action at Resaca, Georgia May 14, 1864." According to his pension records, Wade lost his little finger during this battle. He complained of how this wound hurt, cracked and bled during the winter. Wade's brother Wesley was wounded on the 4th of August at the battle of Utoy Creek, Georgia. Wade was again "sick in hospital, Knoxville, Tenn. Since May 14, 1864." Being sick was a typical experience for the Civil War soldier. His regiment was stationed at various places throughout the war such as Nicholasville and Lexington, Kentucky, Greenville, Jonesboro, Strawberry Plains, and Knoxville, Tennessee. An inspection report during their stay in Knoxville on 27 Feb. 1864 stated that the 4th and 8th Tenn. Regiments were "in bad condition as regards appearance, discipline, and drill." The 8th moved by train on the 26th of April to Red Gap, Georgia for the beginning of the Atlanta Campaign.
The regiment was heavily engaged at Resaca on May 14 where Wade was wounded. Although almost constantly engaged for the next three months, the heaviest fighting for the regiment came with its attempt to cross Utoy Creek on the 6th of August 1864. Brigadier Gen. Reilly wrote "Where all behaved so gallantly, it is very difficult to give special mention to any, but I cannot, in justice, neglect to bear official testimony to the gallant and heroic conduct of the 8th Tennessee Infantry Officers and men. The list of casualties, however, is their best eulogy, when it is known that the regiment went into the charge with but 160 muskets." Captain James W. Berry stated that, "the regiment entered this charge with 223 men, lost 26 killed, five mortally wounded, 36 wounded, and 16 missing, making a total of 83 casualties. In this serious charge the officers and men of the regiment exhibited in the highest degree the bravery, discipline, presence of mind which characterizes veteran troops." The regiment moved on to Decatur, Georgia September 8th where it stayed for a few months.
The regiment moved into Chattanooga, Pulaski and then took part in the fighting from Pulaski, to Columbia, to Spring Hill, to Franklin, and finally to Nashville. The 8th suffered seven casualties at Franklin. During the battle of Nashville on December 16th, 1864 the regiment made a charge and captured four pieces of artillery and about 200 or 300 prisoners. Early in 1865 the regiment helped take Wilmington, North Carolina and occupied this city until it moved on to Newbern, Goldsboro, and then to Raleigh, North Carolina. Wade and his regiment were mustered out of service at Company Shops, North Carolina on the 30th of June 1865.
No mention is made as to Wades return trip back to his home in Cocke Co. Also, it is not really known why he decided to fight with the Federal Army. Many fought to save the Union, others fought to protect their homes and family, some fought because they would be deemed cowards if they didn't, still others joined up for the adventure and excitement and to escape the boredom of farm life, and some actually believed that slavery was wrong. Many were enticed to join by the promise of a bounty and had no particular allegiance to anything but their monthly pay. For whatever reason Wade Green fought I am proud of him, regardless of the side he chose to fight for. It is his courage, strength, and determination that I honor. We are not likely to see such displays of shear bravery and undying loyalty to ones country and homeland as was exhibited by these men who fought during The War of Southern Independence. I have reenacted many of the battles that Wade and the 8th Tennessee were involved in and have experienced first hand what they experienced and how they suffered. Though my experiences and sufferings are laughable compared to those of my ancestors who fought during The War of Southern Independence, they are plenty enough to make me appreciate their sacrifices. It is for this reason that I had a veterans stone placed at Clay Creek Baptist Church to honor the memory of Wade Green. It would be well that we should all have to live these experiences for just one weekend.
Family tradition has it that while Wade was away three of his daughters where raped by Confederate soldiers. Atrocities such as this, in addition to brutal guerrilla warfare, political differences and opinions regarding slavery and secession were common and extreme in East Tennessee. Several people have repeated the story of said rapes, but I believe that they are mistaken about Wade Green's daughters being raped. Those mentioned were too young at the time to have borne children, or were not born during the war years. The story may be true, but I tend to believe that those involved may have been Wade's sisters.
Our Green/Greene line begins with Nancy Belle Green Holt, my great grandmother, who was born on 8 June 1875 in Cocke County, Tennessee and died on 8 June 1937 in Knoxville, Tennessee. She is buried in the Morganton Cemetery in Greenback, Blount County, Tennessee. She was the daughter of Wade Green and Fannie Melissa Arms who were married on 6 September 1873. Melissa was born on 5 November 1852, probably in Rutherford Co., North Carolina, and is the daughter of Oliver Arms, Sr. and *Nancy Williams. Oliver was born on 26 March 1816 in Massachusetts and died on 26 November 1887 in Cocke County. Nancy was born 4 June 1823 and died on 15 February 1880. Oliver and Nancy are buried at Clay Creek Baptist Church. Wade was first married to Martha ------ who died while he was in the army during The War of Southern Independence. (* I did find a reference in the Berryhill Family Papers at Chapel Hill, NC (#M-2857) that mentions an Oliver Arms of Lincoln Co., NC and his prenuptial correspondence with an Elizabeth Sprague of Massachusetts, 1838-1840. I did an inter-library loan in order to read the papers, but found that they were hardly legible. According to Garry Griffin, Oliver Arms, Sr.'s first wife was Elizabeth Sprague of Deerfield, Massachusetts. In an email he said, "I can also confirm the marriage between Oliver ARMS, Sr. & Elizabeth SPRAGUE - ARMS, Oliver, Male, married Elizabeth SPRAGUE, 22 Sep 1840 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts - Massachusetts Marriages, 1633-1850. Elizabeth Sprague ARMS had died by 28 December 1847 when Oliver married his 2nd wife Nancy Ann WILLIAMS." (Mother of Fannie Melissa Arms)
Wade Green(e) is my 2nd great grandfather. His first name may have been William according to Wanda Wilson of Newport. He was born on the 6th of August 1833 in Cocke Co. and died on 15 July 1905. He is buried at Clay Creek Baptist Church near Bybee in Cocke County, Tennessee. Wade's parents were John and Martha Maria Hampton Green. Her father was Job Hampton. The following is a story passed on to me by Bernice Davies via email on 24 Feb. 1999 regarding John Green, which came from THE REDIC FAMILY HISTORY OF COCKE COUNTY, TENNESSEE:
"John Green (1805) was an orphan lad. He was raised by another family. When he was twenty-one years old he was given a horse and saddle, suit of clothes and ten dollars in money. This was all he had when he married. He started into the racehorse business and made money and bought more horses until he was quite well to do. Once, while riding his favorite horse and urging him to do his best running, the horse ran into a tree and broke his neck. Before dying the horse looked at Mr. Green and whinnied, this almost broke Mr. Green's heart. He swore never to run another horse, this he lived up to. He died worth $12,000. He died in 1860." (John is listed as having been born in South Carolina. Was sick sixteen days and died of Consumption/T.B. in January of 1860. Died one year prior to 1 June 1860 according to the 1860 Mortality Schedule, Tennessee)
"John Redic married Jaily Green whose father and mother was John Green and Martha Maria Green. They were natives of Old Virginia. Martha Maria's name before she was married was Hampton. Her father Jobe Hampton had three brothers, Wade, John, and Will (William). Martha had only one sister who went to the spring one day for water. She had to draw it with a rope and pail. The pail was too heavy for her to handle. Some neighbor saw the pail fall back into the spring, taking the girl with it into the well. In their excitement they ran to the house and when her parents got her out she was dead. This left only Martha who later married a man named John Green. To this union were born eleven children, all of whom lived to a ripe old age."
I discovered that Wade Green had fought during The War for Southern Independence with Co. C, 8th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry. Not only did he fight, but it also seems that four brothers fought as well. Brother's Joseph, Wesley, Alfred, and William fought with the same regiment and company. Brother John Green may have served as well. Capt. Thomas Bible's roster of Company C spells their last name "Greene." The following is a brief account of the history of the 8th Tennessee and Wade's experiences during his term of service. A further glance at Captain Thomas Bible's diary of Co. C, 8th Tennessee gives a better view of what these men experienced.
Wade Green mustered into service on 15 May 1863 at Camp Dick Robinson, Kentucky. According to company muster rolls Wade was "sick in hospital at Crab Orchard, Kentucky" during July and August of 1863. The May and June roll indicates that he was "at hospital, Chattanooga Tenn. Wounded in action at Resaca, Georgia May 14, 1864." According to his pension records, Wade lost his little finger during this battle. He complained of how this wound hurt, cracked and bled during the winter. Wade's brother Wesley was wounded on the 4th of August at the battle of Utoy Creek, Georgia. Wade was again "sick in hospital, Knoxville, Tenn. Since May 14, 1864." Being sick was a typical experience for the Civil War soldier. His regiment was stationed at various places throughout the war such as Nicholasville and Lexington, Kentucky, Greenville, Jonesboro, Strawberry Plains, and Knoxville, Tennessee. An inspection report during their stay in Knoxville on 27 Feb. 1864 stated that the 4th and 8th Tenn. Regiments were "in bad condition as regards appearance, discipline, and drill." The 8th moved by train on the 26th of April to Red Gap, Georgia for the beginning of the Atlanta Campaign.
The regiment was heavily engaged at Resaca on May 14 where Wade was wounded. Although almost constantly engaged for the next three months, the heaviest fighting for the regiment came with its attempt to cross Utoy Creek on the 6th of August 1864. Brigadier Gen. Reilly wrote "Where all behaved so gallantly, it is very difficult to give special mention to any, but I cannot, in justice, neglect to bear official testimony to the gallant and heroic conduct of the 8th Tennessee Infantry Officers and men. The list of casualties, however, is their best eulogy, when it is known that the regiment went into the charge with but 160 muskets." Captain James W. Berry stated that, "the regiment entered this charge with 223 men, lost 26 killed, five mortally wounded, 36 wounded, and 16 missing, making a total of 83 casualties. In this serious charge the officers and men of the regiment exhibited in the highest degree the bravery, discipline, presence of mind which characterizes veteran troops." The regiment moved on to Decatur, Georgia September 8th where it stayed for a few months.
The regiment moved into Chattanooga, Pulaski and then took part in the fighting from Pulaski, to Columbia, to Spring Hill, to Franklin, and finally to Nashville. The 8th suffered seven casualties at Franklin. During the battle of Nashville on December 16th, 1864 the regiment made a charge and captured four pieces of artillery and about 200 or 300 prisoners. Early in 1865 the regiment helped take Wilmington, North Carolina and occupied this city until it moved on to Newbern, Goldsboro, and then to Raleigh, North Carolina. Wade and his regiment were mustered out of service at Company Shops, North Carolina on the 30th of June 1865.
No mention is made as to Wades return trip back to his home in Cocke Co. Also, it is not really known why he decided to fight with the Federal Army. Many fought to save the Union, others fought to protect their homes and family, some fought because they would be deemed cowards if they didn't, still others joined up for the adventure and excitement and to escape the boredom of farm life, and some actually believed that slavery was wrong. Many were enticed to join by the promise of a bounty and had no particular allegiance to anything but their monthly pay. For whatever reason Wade Green fought I am proud of him, regardless of the side he chose to fight for. It is his courage, strength, and determination that I honor. We are not likely to see such displays of shear bravery and undying loyalty to ones country and homeland as was exhibited by these men who fought during The War of Southern Independence. I have reenacted many of the battles that Wade and the 8th Tennessee were involved in and have experienced first hand what they experienced and how they suffered. Though my experiences and sufferings are laughable compared to those of my ancestors who fought during The War of Southern Independence, they are plenty enough to make me appreciate their sacrifices. It is for this reason that I had a veterans stone placed at Clay Creek Baptist Church to honor the memory of Wade Green. It would be well that we should all have to live these experiences for just one weekend.
Family tradition has it that while Wade was away three of his daughters where raped by Confederate soldiers. Atrocities such as this, in addition to brutal guerrilla warfare, political differences and opinions regarding slavery and secession were common and extreme in East Tennessee. Several people have repeated the story of said rapes, but I believe that they are mistaken about Wade Green's daughters being raped. Those mentioned were too young at the time to have borne children, or were not born during the war years. The story may be true, but I tend to believe that those involved may have been Wade's sisters.
Wade Green(e) is my 2nd great grandfather. His first name may have been William according to Wanda Wilson of Newport. He was born on the 6th of August 1833 in Cocke Co. and died on 15 July 1905. He is buried at Clay Creek Baptist Church near Bybee in Cocke County, Tennessee. Wade's parents were John and Martha Maria Hampton Green. Her father was Job Hampton. The following is a story passed on to me by Bernice Davies via email on 24 Feb. 1999 regarding John Green, which came from THE REDIC FAMILY HISTORY OF COCKE COUNTY, TENNESSEE:
"John Green (1805) was an orphan lad. He was raised by another family. When he was twenty-one years old he was given a horse and saddle, suit of clothes and ten dollars in money. This was all he had when he married. He started into the racehorse business and made money and bought more horses until he was quite well to do. Once, while riding his favorite horse and urging him to do his best running, the horse ran into a tree and broke his neck. Before dying the horse looked at Mr. Green and whinnied, this almost broke Mr. Green's heart. He swore never to run another horse, this he lived up to. He died worth $12,000. He died in 1860." (John is listed as having been born in South Carolina. Was sick sixteen days and died of Consumption/T.B. in January of 1860. Died one year prior to 1 June 1860 according to the 1860 Mortality Schedule, Tennessee)
"John Redic married Jaily Green whose father and mother was John Green and Martha Maria Green. They were natives of Old Virginia. Martha Maria's name before she was married was Hampton. Her father Jobe Hampton had three brothers, Wade, John, and Will (William). Martha had only one sister who went to the spring one day for water. She had to draw it with a rope and pail. The pail was too heavy for her to handle. Some neighbor saw the pail fall back into the spring, taking the girl with it into the well. In their excitement they ran to the house and when her parents got her out she was dead. This left only Martha who later married a man named John Green. To this union were born eleven children, all of whom lived to a ripe old age."
I discovered that Wade Green had fought during The War for Southern Independence with Co. C, 8th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry. Not only did he fight, but it also seems that four brothers fought as well. Brother's Joseph, Wesley, Alfred, and William fought with the same regiment and company. Brother John Green may have served as well. Capt. Thomas Bible's roster of Company C spells their last name "Greene." The following is a brief account of the history of the 8th Tennessee and Wade's experiences during his term of service. A further glance at Captain Thomas Bible's diary of Co. C, 8th Tennessee gives a better view of what these men experienced.
Wade Green mustered into service on 15 May 1863 at Camp Dick Robinson, Kentucky. According to company muster rolls Wade was "sick in hospital at Crab Orchard, Kentucky" during July and August of 1863. The May and June roll indicates that he was "at hospital, Chattanooga Tenn. Wounded in action at Resaca, Georgia May 14, 1864." According to his pension records, Wade lost his little finger during this battle. He complained of how this wound hurt, cracked and bled during the winter. Wade's brother Wesley was wounded on the 4th of August at the battle of Utoy Creek, Georgia. Wade was again "sick in hospital, Knoxville, Tenn. Since May 14, 1864." Being sick was a typical experience for the Civil War soldier. His regiment was stationed at various places throughout the war such as Nicholasville and Lexington, Kentucky, Greenville, Jonesboro, Strawberry Plains, and Knoxville, Tennessee. An inspection report during their stay in Knoxville on 27 Feb. 1864 stated that the 4th and 8th Tenn. Regiments were "in bad condition as regards appearance, discipline, and drill." The 8th moved by train on the 26th of April to Red Gap, Georgia for the beginning of the Atlanta Campaign.
The regiment was heavily engaged at Resaca on May 14 where Wade was wounded. Although almost constantly engaged for the next three months, the heaviest fighting for the regiment came with its attempt to cross Utoy Creek on the 6th of August 1864. Brigadier Gen. Reilly wrote "Where all behaved so gallantly, it is very difficult to give special mention to any, but I cannot, in justice, neglect to bear official testimony to the gallant and heroic conduct of the 8th Tennessee Infantry Officers and men. The list of casualties, however, is their best eulogy, when it is known that the regiment went into the charge with but 160 muskets." Captain James W. Berry stated that, "the regiment entered this charge with 223 men, lost 26 killed, five mortally wounded, 36 wounded, and 16 missing, making a total of 83 casualties. In this serious charge the officers and men of the regiment exhibited in the highest degree the bravery, discipline, presence of mind which characterizes veteran troops." The regiment moved on to Decatur, Georgia September 8th where it stayed for a few months.
The regiment moved into Chattanooga, Pulaski and then took part in the fighting from Pulaski, to Columbia, to Spring Hill, to Franklin, and finally to Nashville. The 8th suffered seven casualties at Franklin. During the battle of Nashville on December 16th, 1864 the regiment made a charge and captured four pieces of artillery and about 200 or 300 prisoners. Early in 1865 the regiment helped take Wilmington, North Carolina and occupied this city until it moved on to Newbern, Goldsboro, and then to Raleigh, North Carolina. Wade and his regiment were mustered out of service at Company Shops, North Carolina on the 30th of June 1865.
No mention is made as to Wades return trip back to his home in Cocke Co. Also, it is not really known why he decided to fight with the Federal Army. Many fought to save the Union, others fought to protect their homes and family, some fought because they would be deemed cowards if they didn't, still others joined up for the adventure and excitement and to escape the boredom of farm life, and some actually believed that slavery was wrong. Many were enticed to join by the promise of a bounty and had no particular allegiance to anything but their monthly pay. For whatever reason Wade Green fought I am proud of him, regardless of the side he chose to fight for. It is his courage, strength, and determination that I honor. We are not likely to see such displays of shear bravery and undying loyalty to ones country and homeland as was exhibited by these men who fought during The War of Southern Independence. I have reenacted many of the battles that Wade and the 8th Tennessee were involved in and have experienced first hand what they experienced and how they suffered. Though my experiences and sufferings are laughable compared to those of my ancestors who fought during The War of Southern Independence, they are plenty enough to make me appreciate their sacrifices. It is for this reason that I had a veterans stone placed at Clay Creek Baptist Church to honor the memory of Wade Green. It would be well that we should all have to live these experiences for just one weekend.
Family tradition has it that while Wade was away three of his daughters where raped by Confederate soldiers. Atrocities such as this, in addition to brutal guerrilla warfare, political differences and opinions regarding slavery and secession were common and extreme in East Tennessee. Several people have repeated the story of said rapes, but I believe that they are mistaken about Wade Green's daughters being raped. Those mentioned were too young at the time to have borne children, or were not born during the war years. The story may be true, but I tend to believe that those involved may have been Wade's sisters.
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