Welcome to the 8th TN Website
Welcome to the homepage of the 8th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, U.S., Co. "E"!
The 8th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry U.S., Co. "E" is a group of dedicated men and women who portray the Federal infantryman in the western theater during the period of the American Civil War. Our primary goal is to educate the public about the weapons, uniforms, tactics and hardships endured by the common Federal soldier in the fight for home and Union. This is in order that our generation and local area may better understand the importance of this pivotal part of our nation's history.
It is widely assumed that just because someone comes from the South, that their ancestors must have been Confederates? However, estimates that as many as 100,000 white, Southern males wore the Blue instead of the Gray as regular soldiers or local militia. Tennessee was a bitterly divided state, and East Tennessee, in particular, was a hotbed of Union sentiment.
Who were these men who risked so much to remain loyal, as one of their number expressed it, "to the Old Flag, sealed with the blood of our forefathers?" Why would they risk all, not only by refusing to take part in the Rebellion, but to actively take up arms towards its defeat? As East Tennesseans, they knew who they were, and would not betray the heritage of their ancestors, nor loyalty to their country to which they held dear.
Among them was the 8th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, who had escaped from their homes in East Tennessee. It was in Kentucky that this regiment was formed out of a rag-tag band of exiles and refugees, and having turned that devotion into action, would go on to distinguish itself in numerous battles until the ultimate victory had been won.
Our Unit is primarily from the east Tennessee area, and we belong to the Military Division of the Mississippi (MDM) in which we are brigaded with the 125th OVI from Atlanta, GA and the 9th Kentucky from Nashville, TN. The 8th Tennessee is a family friendly unit that participates in a wide range of annual events mostly in eastern Tennessee, northern Georgia, southwestern Virginia, and Kentucky.
So feel free to take a look around, find out who we are, learn some of the history of this prestigious Unit, see what events we attend, and view some of our photos from past events.