First Corps, Army of Tennessee

The First Corps of the Army of Tennessee was officially created on November 20, 1862, and continued in existence until its surrender in April 1865 in North Carolina. It was also known as Polk's Corps, Hardee's Corps, and Cheatham's Corps.

Background

The units comprising the First Corps were drawn from the organization of Department No. 2 (or the Western Department) of the Confederate States of America, which had responsibility for the area between the Tennessee River and the Mississippi River.

Command history

Command under Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk

Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk commanded the First Corps from November 26, 1862, until October 23, 1863. The First Corps participated in the Tennessee Campaign from June to October 1863 under General Braxton Bragg. Major engagements under Lt. Gen. Polk:

* Battle of Stones River December 1862/January 1863
* Battle of Chickamauga September 1863

Command under Maj. Gen. B. J. Cheatham

Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Cheatham commanded the First Corps three times, during the periods October 23 to October 31, 1863, December 2 to December 27, 1863, and again from September 28, 1864, to April 9, 1865.

Command under Lt. Gen. W. J. Hardee

Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee commanded the First Corps three times, during the periods October 31 to December 2, 1863, again from December 27, 1863, to August 20, 1863, and a third time from September 2 to September 28, 1864.

Command under Maj. Gen. P. R. Cleburne

Maj. Gen. Patrick Cleburne commanded the First Corps temporarily from August 31, 1864, to September 1, 1864.