Colonel Peter Turney

Peter Turney was born on September 22, 1827 in Jasper (Marion County), Tennessee. He became a lawyer in Franklin County, Tenessee. When the War began, he became the colonel of the 1st Tennessee regiment (Provisional Army), enlisting on April 27, 1861.

During February 1862, Turney was under arrest for some sort of infraction. However, he distingushed himself in action. One of his men recalled that "At Sharpsburg 'Old Pete' Turney climbed the top rail of the board fence along the Harpers Ferry Road. Private Felix Motlow wondered how the old man escaped death as he perched himself in the open admidst a storm of lead. 'Hog drivers, advance!' the colonel whooped." He commanded Archer's Brigade on the march from Harper's Ferry to Sharpsburg. He returned to his regiment when Hill began his attack late on September 17, 1862.

Turney was wounded in the face and neck at Fredericksburg in December. He retired from active service on May 26, 1864.

After the War, Turney served as a justice on the Tenessee Supreme Court for twenty-two years. He was elected governor of Tennessee, serving from 1803-1897. Turney died on October 19, 1903 in Winchester, Tennessee. He was buried there in the Winchester Cemetery.