COMPANY D, EIGHTY-THIRD REGIMENT

Company D was raised largely in the eastern part of Mercer and the western part of Henry county. It was organized August 21, 1862, by the election of Joshua M. Snyder, of Viola, Mercer county, as captain ; Hugh M. Robb. of the same county, as first lieutenant ; and Francis M. Sykes, of Oxford, Henry county, as second lieutenant.

There were but few changes in the officials of this company, and consequently but few promotions. Snyder and Robb went in for the whole war and were mustered out with the boys three years, lacking a couple of months, after their enlistment. Sykes resigned, after having been second liteunant just two years, and Hugh B. Frazier succeeded him, and was mustered out at the close of the war.

The 83d was raised largely in Warren county, and was organized at Monmouth, August 21, 1862, by A. C. Harding, who was promoted a year later to the office of brigadier-general, upon which Arthur A. Smith succeeded him. The regiment did heavy guard duty the most of first year and a half. The country along the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers was infested with guerillas, and this regiment had almost daily skirmishes with them, some of them being quite severe. On February 3, 1863, the regiment was brought in contact with 8,000 men of Forest's command, and successfully resisted them, compelling them to retire with a loss of 800 killed and wounded; and with a loss of thirteen killed and fifty-one wounded in the 83d regiment.. It was in consequence of this brilliant achievement that Col. Harding was promoted to brigadier- general and Smith to colonel. During the year 1854, the regiment had about 200 miles of communications to guard. The regiment was mustered out at Nashville, and from thence proceeded to Chicago for final pay and discharge.

 

History of Mercer and Henderson County

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