CDV is of Private B. M. Tillman of the 51^st Tennessee Consolidated Infantry. He is posed with one hand resting on the back of a chair. He wears a light-colored double-breasted frockcoat with dark collar and cuffs and dark trousers and a sash tied around his waist.

Contrast and clarity are good. Mount has clipped corners and an ink stain along one side. Paper is slightly toned with scattered surface dirt from age. There is a small chip to the surface of the image which shows up as a small white spot on Tillman’s right cuff.

Reverse has a photographer’s imprint for T. F. SALTSMAN… NASHVILLE TENN. Top has an old pencil ID that reads “UNCLE B. M. TILLMAN.” There is also some collector information in pencil at bottom.

Item is from the collection of the late William A. Turner.

Records consulted show there is only one B. M. Tillman in the Confederate army. His full name was Basil Manley Tillman (also spelled Tilman.) He was born in Marshall County, Tennessee on October 21, 1840 and reared in Carroll County before moving to Chester County.

His military record shows that he enlisted as a private in Company C, 51^st Tennessee Infantry on December 13, 1861 at Henderson Station. He was promoted to 1^st sergeant on February 16, 1862 but on the following April 22^nd he was sent to the hospital sick and was reduced to 2^nd sergeant. By the time Tillman returned to his regiment he had been reduced to private.

Tillman was captured at the battle of Perryville, Kentucky on October 9, 1862 and sent to Louisville, Kentucky where he was confined until February. He was then sent to Camp Chase in Columbus, Ohio and in March of 1863 he was sent on to City Point for exchange. At the time Tillman was exchanged he was described as being 22 years old, standing 5’ 8” with gray eyes, light hair and a light complexion.

After his return to the regiment, it was consolidated with the 52^nd Tennessee and Tillman was reappointed as sergeant.

In July of 1863 he received a commissioned to 1^st lieutenant with promotion to captain of Company C coming in January 1864. The last muster roll on record is for January and February of 1864 which shows Captain Tillman absent on recruiting duty. This type of duty was temporary and no doubt Tillman returned to the regiment in time for the 1864 campaign season.

Besides Perryville the 51^st Tennessee Consolidated Infantry went on to serve at Chickamauga, Chattanooga, the Atlanta Campaign and at Franklin.

After the war Tillman worked as a lawyer and was appointed judge of the 12^th Chancery Division from 1867 to 1870. He also served as a state legislator from 1873 to 1875 and 1877 to 1879. He became a state senator serving from 1881 to 1883.

Basil M. Tillman died on November 21, 1896 and is buried in Old Estes Cemetery, Henderson, Tennessee.  [ad]  [ph:L]

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