The following transcribed military discharge is recorded in Grainger County Deed Book 16, page 5, held by the Grainger County Archives in Rutledge, Tennessee:

To All Whom It May Concern
Know ye that Nathaniel McElhaney a Private of Captain Homer Gilmores Company (B) 8th Regiment of Tennessee Cavalry Volunteers who was enrolled on the fifteenth day of May one thousand eight hundred and sixty three to serve three years or during the war, is hereby discharged from the service of the United States this eleventh day of September 1865 at Knoxville Tennessee by reason of S.O no. 49 Dept. _?_ dated Aug 23/65. (No objection to his being re-enlisted is known to exist.*) Said Nathaniel McElhany was born in Grainger County in the state of Tennessee – is thirty one years of age five feet nine inches high fair complexion gray eyes dark hair, and by occupation when enrolled, a farmer.
Given at Knoxville Tenn this eleventh day of September 1865.

*This sentence will be erased should there be anything in the conduct or physical condition of the soldier rendering him unfit for the army.
[A.G.O. no. 99]

T. McDermott
Capt. U.S.A., D.C.M.
12th Cav. Div. D.C.

Thomas Gilmore – Capt. }
Co. B 8th Tenn Cav }
Comndg Co }

Registered By H. Sheperd March 4, 1866 In Rutledge H. Sheperd Reg.

Paid Sep 19 1865
E. A. Truax Paymaster U.S.A.