In the war of 1812 the Third and Fourth Tennessee regiments were raised in East Tennessee. The troops rendezvoused in Rhea County to embark for New Orleans. The order, however, was countermanded, and they were sent direct to Mobile. The Third Regiment was commanded by Col. Thomas Booth, with Wm. Armstrong as adjutant and John Sutherland as quartermaster. The Fourth Regiment was commanded by Samuel Bayless, as colonel; ______ Hill, lieutenant-colonel; W. C. Headman, major; Wm. Bayless, adjutant; Dr. A. Nelson, regimental surgeon, and R. I. Chester, of Jackson, as quartermaster. The men were marched direct to Mobile, where they remained till the news of peace was received. Col. Chester was present when the nine militia-men were shot by order of the court martial called by Gen. Jackson. The men were tried for desertion, mutiny and sedition. The men were led to the place of execution and fifty-four shots were fired at them, and all fell dead, except one, who was severely wounded. He begged for pardon, which was granted, but what the executioners failed to do was accomplished by an ignorant surgeon by bleeding.
