Francis Marion Anderson

Born: 23 Feb 1827 in Jackson County, Tennessee

Died: 3 Nov 1903 in Smithville, DeKalb County, Tennessee

Company C, 1st Tennessee Mounted Infantry, USA (Captain)

3 Dec 1863-30 Jun 1864

Francis Marion is the son of Thomas S. Anderson Sr. and Judith Anne Robinson. He married Frances Almeda Ritchie on 4 Jan 1849. Almeda was the daughter of David Ritchie and Polly Loveall. They had 10 kids from 1849 to 1890.

According to the DeKalb County History book, Francis Marion was probably the leader of the group of irregulars called The Mine LIck Creek Gang. This Gang was an unattached "home guard" that patroled from Mine Lick Creek down the river and up Second Creek.  Their mission was to protect the Union sympathizing families.  All the home guards on both sides were accused of misconduct.  Probably some truth on both sides.  Many scores were settled immediately following the war.  Francis Marion was involved in at least one of those and was indicted for first degree murder.  As far as we know he was never convicted. The extant court records ran out before a verdict was discovered. I cannot find any records of him spending time in jail for this offense. To read a more detailed account go to the New Stories Tab, "The Killing of Andrew Jackson Maxwell".

It appears that as the war developed several in the Mine Lick Creek Gang decided they should enlist into the regular Army. He joined Company C, 1st Tennessee Mounted Infantry on 3 Dec 1863 and was appointed Captain of the Company. He was mustered out on 30 Jun 1864. His main mission during this period was to take his Company to Gainesboro and flush out the remaining confederate guerillas.

Francis Marion applied for and received an invalid pension on 11 Jul 1877. After his death, his wife applied for and received a widow's pension on 26 Mar 1904

Francis Marion and his wife are buried in the Bloomington Springs Cemetery in Bloomington Springs, Putnam County, Tennessee