Sutton, John W

John W Sutton

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Significance:

Company B, 5th Kentucky Infantry

Place of Birth:

Henderson County, Kentucky

Date of Birth:

1834

Place of Death:

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Date of Death:

December 31, 1862

Place of Burial:

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Cemetery Name:

Stones River National Cemetery

John W Sutton was born in 1834 in Henderson County, Kentucky to Marie Sutton, his mother. He married Jane B Randolph on October 14, 1852, at the age of 18, Jane was 19. On July 1, 1861, he enlisted at Camp Joe Holt, Kentucky. He was later mustered into Company B of the 5th Kentucky Infantry on September 9, 1861, as a private.

The 5th Kentucky was organized at Camp Joe Holt. They participated in the battle of Shiloh, Buell’s Campaigns, and the Siege of Corinth before arriving in Nashville in October 1962. At some point during these movements, Sutton had a rank change to sergeant. The 5th Kentucky remained in Nashville until December 26th, when they received orders to march south towards Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

The 5th Kentucky arrived in the Murfreesboro area on the 30th of December. They were positioned behind Gresham Lane as reserves. At 6am on December 31st, Confederate troops in the area made their attack. They planned to create a J-shaped motion around the Union’s right flank, where the 5th Kentucky was positioned, and cause the Union Army to collapse in on itself. By 7am, the 5th KY was engaged in attacks. They held on for about two hours, and at 9am, the shattered remains of the regiment went into a retreat north towards Asbury Lane where reinforcements were waiting.

They reformed on the left of the Nashville Pike where they remained during the afternoon of December 31st. By the evening, they had formed a position at the connection of Asbury Lane and Nashville Pike, and they remained there until the day ended. It was during this first day of fighting that Sutton died.

John W Sutton is laid to rest in the Stones River National Cemetery in plot E-2109.