CAPTAIN EDWARD CROSSLAND
Company E’s rising star Captain Edward Crossland was born on June 30,
1827 in Hickman County, Kentucky. Capt Crossland grew up in that
county as a farmer. Known as a community leader, he was chosen as the
first sheriff of Hickman county in 1850. Afterwards he took up the
study of law and was admitted to the state bar. He was elected to the
state legislature in 1859, representing neighboring Fulton county as
well as his own.
It was the men of those two Kentucky counties as well as Obion county
Tennessee that the Capt would organize into company E, 1st Kentucky
in April ’61. He commanded the Alexander Guards until the fall of
’61. He was promoted to the rank of major and assumed regimental
staff duties.
When Col. Taylor was detailed as Provost Marshall for the Army at
Orange Court House, Maj Crossland assumed temporary command of the
regiment. After the regiment was mustered out in the spring of ’62,
Maj Crossland headed west for new command responsibilities. On May
25, 1862, he became Colonel of the 7th Kentucky Infantry. He
commanded the 7th at the battles of Vicksburg and Baton Rouge under
Gen. Breckenridge and at Corinth under Gen Van Dorn. Col Crossland
further served at the battle of Champion’s Hill and other engagements
of the Vicksburg campaign.
In 1864, the 7th, 3rd and 8th Kentucky Infantry became mounted and
combined with the 12th Kentucky Calvary. This unit became part of Gen
Forrest’s command until the end of the war.
After the war, Col Crossland returned home and resume his law
practice. He then served in several judgeships before being elected
to Congress. Following two terms, he returned home, practiced law and
served as Judge of the Circuit Court until his death on September 11,
1881.
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