The 51st Regiment, Tennessee Infantry was organized at Henderson Station, Tennessee, in January, 1862. The 52nd was also organized at the same time with men from Tipton, Fayette, Shelby, Madison, and Jackson counties. A detachment of the 52nd was captured at Fort Donelson, then in October it was active in the fight at Perryville. Later the unit was assigned to D.S. Donelson's, M.J. Wright's, Vaughan's, and Palmer's Brigade. During April, 1862, it was consolidated with the 52nd Regiment and called the 51st Consolidated. However, the consolidation was declared illegal and during April, 1863, it was reorganized as the 51st and 52nd Consolidated Regiment and each unit kept separate records. It participated in many battles of the Army of Tennessee from Murfreesboro to Atlanta, returned to Tennessee with Hood, and was involved in the North Carolina Campaign.