Salem Privett

Salem Privett (about 1841 – July 25, 1862) was a Union soldier who died during the Civil War.

See Also: Scott Countians killed in war

Biography

According to H. Clay Smith’s Dusty Bits of the Forgotten Past, Salem Privett was a private in Co. G, 2nd Tennessee Infantry. He enlisted at the age of 20 on Oct. 1, 1861 at Camp Dick Robinson in Kentucky, and died at Butcher Springs, Ky. on July 25, 1862 of unknown causes. He is also listed in Paul Roy’s Scott County in the Civil War, which cites Smith’s book.

There is no record of Salem Privett in Scott County in either the 1850 or 1860 census. There were two other Privetts from Scott County who served in the war. Solomon Privett served and died of unknown causes at Cumberland Gap, Tenn. on Aug. 7, 1862. His father, James Privett, also served. He was a corporal in Co. G, 2nd Tennessee Infantry. He was left sick at Cumberland Gap on Sept. 17, 1862 and was captured by Confederate soldiers. He was paroled on Oct. 2, 1862. There was also an Andrew Privett who served in the Civil War in Co. G, 2nd Tennessee Infantry. He was also captured at Cumberland Gap on Sept. 17, 1862. He is listed in Paul Roy’s Scott County in the Civil War as Andrew Privett Jr. However, he appears to have also been a son of James Privett, and a brother to Solomon Privett.

However, Salem Privett does not appear to have been a sibling to Solomon Privett or Andrew Privett, at least according to census records. His identity remains unknown, though it doesn’t seem he was from Scott County.