Mount Pleasant in Maury County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

The Bigby Greys

Story of Service

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 23, 2014

1. The Bigby Greys Marker

Inscription.

The Bigby Greys. Story of Service. Here on the square, on April 20, 1861, a hundred local men under Capt. Daniel F. Wade were sworn into Confederate service as the Bigby Greys. The women of Mt. Pleasant presented the company with its first flag, in the first Confederate national pattern. It bears the motto, “When they meet the foe, we feel secure.” The company sent the flag home from its first camp, because only regiments were permitted to carry colors. Union garrison troops stationed here later confiscated the flag, which is now on display at the nearby Mt. Pleasant Museum., The Bigby Greys became Co. C, 3rd Tennessee Infantry. The company first fought at Fort Donelson in February 1862, surrendered, and was imprisoned at Camp Douglas near Chicago. It was paroled in September 1862 and exchanged in November at Vicksburg. It remained in Mississippi during Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s campaign and fought in the battles around Port Hudson, Vicksburg, and Raymond., Late in 1863, the regiment fought conspicuously in the Battle of Chickamauga, losing half its already depleted strength. It fought at Missionary Ridge and all through the Atlanta campaign, then marched north with Confederate Gen. John Bell Hood’s army as it moved into Tennessee. On November 26, the remainder of the Bigby Greys marched quickly by this spot. The 3rd Infantry, which in 1861 numbered more than a thousand, was consolidated with the 18th Tennessee and totaled just seventeen men., This small remnant soldiered on through the rest of the war, fighting in the last battle at Bentonville, North Carolina. The unit was surrendered on April 26, 1865 and then paroled on May 1 at Greensboro, North Carolina., (captions) , (lower left) Camp Douglas, Harper’s Weekly, April 5, 1862 , (upper center) Lt. Johnson Long (left) in Greys uniform Courtesy Mary Clark Long , (upper right) Capturing Confederate artillery on Missionary Ridge, Harper’s Weekly, January 2, 1864 . This historical marker was erected by Tennessee Civil War Trails. It is in Mount Pleasant in Maury County Tennessee

Here on the square, on April 20, 1861, a hundred local men under Capt. Daniel F. Wade were sworn into Confederate service as the Bigby Greys. The women of Mt. Pleasant presented the company with its first flag, in the first Confederate national pattern. It bears the motto, “When they meet the foe, we feel secure.” The company sent the flag home from its first camp, because only regiments were permitted to carry colors. Union garrison troops stationed here later confiscated the flag, which is now on display at the nearby Mt. Pleasant Museum.

The Bigby Greys became Co. C, 3rd Tennessee Infantry. The company first fought at Fort Donelson in February 1862, surrendered, and was imprisoned at Camp Douglas near Chicago. It was paroled in September 1862 and exchanged in November at Vicksburg. It remained in Mississippi during Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s campaign and fought in the battles around Port Hudson, Vicksburg, and Raymond.

Late in 1863, the regiment fought conspicuously in the Battle of Chickamauga, losing half its already depleted strength. It fought at Missionary Ridge and all through the Atlanta campaign,

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then marched north with Confederate Gen. John Bell Hood’s army as it moved into Tennessee. On November 26, the remainder of the Bigby Greys marched quickly by this spot. The 3rd Infantry, which in 1861 numbered more than a thousand, was consolidated with the 18th Tennessee and totaled just seventeen men.

This small remnant soldiered on through the rest of the war, fighting in the last battle at Bentonville, North Carolina. The unit was surrendered on April 26, 1865 and then paroled on May 1 at Greensboro, North Carolina.

(captions)
(lower left) Camp Douglas, Harper’s Weekly, April 5, 1862
(upper center) Lt. Johnson Long (left) in Greys uniform Courtesy Mary Clark Long
(upper right) Capturing Confederate artillery on Missionary Ridge, Harper’s Weekly, January 2, 1864

Erected by Tennessee Civil War Trails.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1773.

Location. 35° 32.053′ N, 87° 12.437′ W. Marker is in Mount Pleasant, Tennessee, in Maury County. Marker is at the intersection of South Main Street (Tennessee Route 166/243) and Hay Long Avenue, on the right when traveling

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 23, 2014

2. The Bigby Greys Marker

south on South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mount Pleasant TN 38474, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Mount Pleasant Confederate Memorial (here, next to this marker); Mount Pleasant Commercial Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); Breckenridge Hatter's Shop (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Highland Hall (about 700 feet away); Clarke Training School (approx. 0.3 miles away); Rattle and Snap Plantation (approx. 3.6 miles away); St. John's Episcopal Church (approx. 4.7 miles away); Delaying Forrest (approx. 4.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Pleasant.

Confederate Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 23, 2014

3. Confederate Monument

Erected in memory of our Confederate Soldiers by the Bigby Gray Chapter U.D.C. The love gratitude and and memory of the people of the South shall gild their fame in one eternal sunshine

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,305 times since then and 255 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 3, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.