Co D, 8th Tennessee Cavalry, Union
George McPherson. Organized at Mossy Creek, Jefferson County, November 14, 1863. Men from Washington, Greene, Hawkins, Hamblen, and Cocke Counties. Became Co. "D", 8th Tennessee Cavalry Regiment.

Tennesseans in the Civil War
http://www.tngenweb.org/civilwar/usacav/usa8cav.html
The regiment saw some active service in East Tennessee under Brigadier Generals James M. Shackelford and Orlando B. Willcox in September, October and November, 1863. It was stationed for a short time at Mossy Creek, Morristown, Whitesburg, Rogersville, Kyker's Mills, and Limestone Depot.

It was sent from Knoxville to Camp Nelson, Kentucky, in charge of prisoners in December, 1863, where, on December 31, it was reported as the 10th East Tennessee Cavalry. On February 6, 1864, Brigadier General Andrew Johnson, Military Governor of Tennessee, ordered the consolidation of this fractional regiment into the 8th Tennessee Regiment, which was also incomplete. Colonel Samuel K. N. Patton was given command, and Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Brown and Major Willis retained the same offices in the combined regiment. The consolidation was completed at Columbia, Tennessee, where Colonel Patton took command on April 7, 1864.

LEWIS'S FATHER WAS A CONFEDERATE SYMPATHIZER
According to family stories Lewis and Venie were ostracized from the family. Partly because they were cousins and Aunt Venie was pregnant when they got married. However, on top of all that I'm sure his serving in the union army were against his father's wishes. Our Gray family had been slaveholders in Virginia bringing them with them when they made the move to Tenn around 1806. Venie's own mother, Phoebe, was given slaves as her dower. They ran off to Blount Co Tenn to get married and were married there 22 Jan 1861. Laura was born 2 months later on 13 Mar 1861.