RICHARD L. WILSON, 13th., Tennessee Cavalry,

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LIEUT. RICHARD L. WILSON, R. O. M.

Lieut. Wilson was born in the territory which is now Johnson county though at the time of his birth, January 7, 1819, it was a part of Carter county. After the formation of Johnson county he was the first constable elected in it. He served as County Court Clerk of the county eight years and sheriff six years previous to the Civil War. He held the election of June, 1861, when the vote was taken on Separation or No Separation. Being a well-known citizen and property owner the notorious "Johnson County Home Guards," led by Capt. Parker, soon made it dangerous for him to remain at home. After witnessing the death of old Mr. Hawkins, who was shot down in cold blood because of his loyalty, he bade good-by to his home and made his way to the Federal lines.

Before leaving his home, however, Mr. Wilson was engaged in the Carter county rebellion — was at the Taylor's Ford fight and shared with the brave men of Johnson and Carter counties in the dangers and persecutions of those times. He joined the Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry at Nashville, Tenn. He was appointed First Lieutenant and Regimental Quartermaster and served with distinction through the East Tennessee campaigns. He had his horse shot from under him in the disastrous retreat from Bull's Gap. He was in the long and arduous campaign with Stoneman through Virginia, North and South Carolina and Georgia, and honorably mustered out with the Regiment at Knoxville, Tenn., September 5, 1865.