D. C. Jackson
Nov. 16, 1821 - Oct. 23. 1898
D. C. Jackson, a prominent citizen of Summitville, Tennessee was born November 16, 1821, in Monticello, Kentucky, and the son of J. B. and Dorcas (Cox) Jackson. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
In 1839, (D. C. Jackson) began an extensive tour through Virginia, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Indian Territory and Mexico. He then returned to Coffee County and September 8, 1846 married Edna Taylor, of Granger County. She lived but a short time. After visiting California until 1851, he returned and married Mary F. Rhodes, of Coffee County, April 18, 1852. She died January 31, 1855. They had one child, John T., who died at four years of age. He visited California a secod time, and April 23, 1860, married Elizabeth Chilton, of Jefferson County. They have six children.
In 1861 he enlisted as Confederate captain of the Thirty-seventh Tennessee Infantry; he organized a calvary company a year later as captain also. Under Col. Adrian and others he continued until the war's close, receiving severe wounds at Chickamauga and Steubenville. Since the war he has been at Summitville, engaged in farming, as justice of the peace, and in his present position of postmaster.
Source: The Goodspeed Histories of Cannon, Coffee, DeKalb, and White Counties, 1887, page 935
excerpt of letter to wife Elizabeth, dated October 13, 1861
On late last evening we landed at our destination for some weeks to come. Our camp presents the appearance of a healthy selection. It is dry and rolling, yet the climate and water are not so good as that of the camp we have just left. We passed on our way here some beautiful villagers with quite a picturesque as well as fertile country of land all presenting the picture of health, plenty and prosperity.
. . . as soon as you pass Chattanooga, coming South, no desertions, no altercations from difference of sentiment. Would to God our country was moved on by the same degree of patriotic enthusiasm. But I fear that many of our neighbors hearts will never be in the right place . . . we had as pleasant a trip as could be expected on a train of freight cars with 500 men on board and more. We had no bad luck. No accident to cars or injury to men. No new cases of sickness - old ones all improving.
My health is better than when I left home, but not yet well - cough considerably yet.
I want you to get Sam to get the neighbors to get up some quilts. blankets and comforts, as soon as it can be done, say four or five days and send them to Germantown, Tennessee care of Capt. L. M. Cocke, Camp Hays. We need them. Hope our neighbors will consult the comfort of our home volunteer company. Do all you can for them while they are securing the counrty to protect your rights and country.
I want to see you and Hatty very much. Kiss our baby for me. Do not take my absence hard. All is perhaps for the best and when peace is restored to our once happy but now troubled country and return to my happy home.
excerpt of letter to wife Elizabeth (from Tullahoma)
There's some six or seven men who are nearly naked and it appears that clothing cannot be had through the department. I would like for you to name the matter to some of the neighbors and get them to get up a few pair of pants, shirts and socks, and send them by James McNally or some safe, person as quick as can be done. Some few of my men are suffering for clothing.
Direct it to me. Phipps Battalion, McCowers Divison, Tullahoma, Tenn. if sent by express. If sent by hand to Manchester, Tenn.
excerpt of letter from War Department, dated January 13, 1909
The records show that D. C. Jackson, captain, Company D, 12th Battalion Tennessee Cavalry, Confederate States Army, which served as part of "Rucker's Legion," a temporary organization, under command of Colonel E. W. Rucker, was enrolled September 1, 1862, at Morristown, Tennessee, and that he resigned February 27, 1864, on account of disability.