The 10th TN began life at Fort Henry in May of 1861. It stayed there until February of 1862 when the fort fell into Federal hands. The 10th evacuated to Fort Donelson, and when that too fell to the Federals, after intense fighting, the 10th were taken to the Federal prison camp at Camp Douglas, IL.

In November of 1862 the regiment was exchanged, and later re-organized, and in December of that year it was sent to Chickasaw Bayou to engage with Gen. Sherman's troops. In May of 1863 the 10th fought at Jackson and Raymond, MS. Col. MacGavock was killed at the fighting in Raymond and replaced by Lt. Col. Grace.

By September the 10th were at Chickamauga with 190 men as part of Gregg's Brigade. They would continue to fight at Missionary Ridge, the retreat to Atlanta and back into Tennessee. At the battle of Jonesboro Col. Grace was mortally wounded and John G. O'Neil became Colonel.

During the battle of Nashville they were put in the area of Shy's Hill where the division was hard hit. The few men who made it out retreated across the Tennessee River and into Mississippi. What was left of the division left with the Army of Tennessee to fight in North Carolina at Bentonville in March. The war would end on April 9th, and the remaining men of the 10th Tennessee Infantry were paroled on May 1st, 1865.