Background
Gillem, Alvan Cullem was born on July 20, 1830 in Jackson County, Tennessee, United States. Son of Samuel J. Gillem.
Gillem, Alvan Cullem was born on July 20, 1830 in Jackson County, Tennessee, United States. Son of Samuel J. Gillem.
Graduated from the United States Military Academy, 1851.
Served in Seminole War, also on garrison duty and duty on Texas frontier. Commissioned captain United States Army, 1861. Colonel 10th Tennessee Volunteers, chief quartermaster Army of Ohio during Tennessee campaign.
Provost marshal Nashville (Tennessee).
Adjutant general Tennessee (appointed by General Andrew Johnson), 1863-1865. Commanded troops guarding Nashville & Northwestern Railroad, 1863-1864.
Commissioned brigadier general United States Volunteers, 1863, brevetted lieutenant colonel, colonel, brigadier general, promoted major general for gallantry at capture of Salisbury, 1865. Prominent in reorganization of Tennessee civil government, vice president of reorganization convention, January 1865.
Member Tennessee Legislature, 1865.
Commanded District of East Tennessee, 1865-1866. Commissioned colonel United States Army, 1866. Commanded 4th Military District (Mississippi and Arkansas), 1868-1869.
Transferred to Texas, took part in Modoc campaign, 1873.
Member Tennessee Legislature, 1865.
Married Margaret Jones.