52nd Infantry Regiment was organized in January, 1862, at Henderson Station, Tennessee. With men recruited in Decatur, Shelby, Weakley, and Henderson counties. The Company we portrait is Andrew N. Wilson, John S. Stansell,and B. M. Tilmons company C.
Below is a short record of the 52nd.
FIELD OFFICERS:
Colonel-Benjamin J. Lea.
Lieutenant Colonels-H. L. Oliver, John W. Estes.
Major-Thomas G. Rundle.
CAPTAINS:
N. A. Wesson, Samuel H. Smith, Co. "A". Men from Decatur County. Enrolled at Jackson, November 25, 1861.
J. A. Russell, Co. "B". Men from various counties. Enrolled at Henderson Station
December 8, 1861.
Andrew N. Wilson, John S. Stansell, B. M. Tilmon (or Tillman), Co. "C". Some men from Shelby County. Enrolled at Henderson Station, December 13, 1861.
T. W. McMurry, Co. "D". Men from Decatur County. Enrolled at Henderson Station, December 16, 1861. Joseph G. Thomason, Co. "E". Men from Oakwood, Weakley County. Enrolled November 28, 1861. Robert M. Burton, Co. "F". Some men from Henderson County. Enrolled at Henderson Station, December 13, 1861. D. C. Kennedy, Co. "G". Some men from Weakley County. Enrolled at Henderson Station, December 17, 1861.John W. Estes, Joe C. Jackson, Co. "H". County of origin not known. Enrolled at Henderson Station, December 19, 1861. W. Riley Akin, B. S. Newman, Co. "I". Men from Decatur County. Enrolled at Henderson Station,
December 23, 1861. S. S. Haley (or Hayley), Co. "K". County of origin not known. Enrolled at Henderson Station, December 2, 1861.
During the first month of service, the regiment suffered from measles. Of the 760 present, 260 were sick. Later it moved to Corinth, then took an active part in the conflicts at Shiloh and Perryville. The unit was assigned to D.S. Donelson's, M.J. Wright's, Vaughan's, and Palmer's Brigade. In April, 1862, it was consolidated with the 51st Regiment and called the 51st Consolidated. However, the consolidation was declared illegal and during April, 1863, it was reorganized as the 51st and 52nd Consolidated Regiment and each kept separate records. It was active in the various campaigns of the Army of Tennessee with Hood, and fought at Bentonville. The 51st Consolidated sustained 34 casualties at Perryville and thirty percent of the 290 engaged at Murfreesboro were disabled. The 51st/52nd lost fifty percent of the 232 at Chickamauga and in December, 1863, totaled 213 men and 134 arms. Only a remnant surrendered on April 26, 1865. The field officers were Colonel Benjamin J. Lea, Lieutenant Colonel John W. Estes and H.L. Oliver, and Major Thomas G. Rundle.