15 Sights In Tennessee That Will Take You To A Dark, Deadly Past
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Meghan Kraft
Author
As is with any southern state, Tennessee has a massive chunk of history invested in the Civil War. The Volunteer State was home to an infusion of Confederate sympathizers and soldiers, men and women whose hearts beat for a cause they believed much bigger than themselves. The honor and dedication is a chilling, beautiful reminder of solidarity that Tennesseans hold for their country and each other. Take a look at some of the odes to the past that you can experience, now.
The Battle of Franklin took place right outside the city on November 30, 1864. It left 6,000 casualties, highly effecting the Army of Tennessee. Fourteen Confederate generals were also killed, which is higher than any other battle in the Civil War. It was in the bloody aftermath of Franklin that General Hood marched on towards Nashville, and another battle.
The McGavock family had the battle of Franklin fought in their front yard, and the Carnton Plantation became home to the largest temporary field hospital in the war. Since it was a mere mile from the bloody action, many soldiers were brought to the back porch for help. It is here that you can find the largest private Confederate cemetery, and the home is currently available for tours.
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The Carter family hid in their basement during the Battle of Franklin, and the home was left standing in the aftermath. The house was used as headquarters for the Twenty-Third Army Corps and is now a Tennessee historic site.
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Spanning northern Georgia as well as easter Tennessee, the military park is the site of both the Chattanooga Campaign and Battle of Chickamauga. The First Battle of Chattanooga took place from June7-8, 1863, and the second on August 21, 1863.
Located in Dover, Tennessee, the national battlefield is attrituted to the Battle of Fort Donelson. The intensive battle took place in 1862 from February 11-16.
Built from 1863-1864, Fort Hill was protected by the 12th and 13th Colored Troops, as well as the 1st Kansas Batter and 8th Iowa Cavalry.
December 7, 1862 inaugurated the Battle of Hartsville. Located forty miles upriver from Nashville, Colonel Absalom B. Moore attacked the Union camp and surrounded the entirety of it, forcing the Federal colonel to surrender.
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The Battle of Johnsonville took place in 1864 and is now commemorated by the state park. Located just north of New Johnsonville, you are now able to hike through the area.
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The Lenoir family was increasingly involved in the Confederate cause, and the home was targeted multiple times by Union soldiers.
The Lotz family joined the Carter's during the Battle of Franklin, the five hours resulted in one of the bloodiest Civil War battles. The home was damaged, and if you take the tour you'll be able to see where cannon ball holes tore through the walls.
Union sympathizers burned the bridges of East Tennessee in late 1861, but the strategically placed bridge was spared because, as legend has it, the group who were assigned the bridges' demise got drunk. A little early for a celebration, guys...?
Tullahoma, Tennessee is home to the Maplewood Confederate Cemetery, a place where only those who were, "killed or died in actual service of the Confederate States of America" are buried. It's a eerie feel, but one that's infused with history.
The Battle of Shiloh was the linchpin in the over six-month struggle for the Corinth railroad crosspoint. The commemorating park is almost 4,000 acres and a stunning memorial to the once was.
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December 31, 1862 brought the Battle of Stones River into being, and it continued until January 3rd of the new year. It was a Union victory that converged with the Emancipation Proclamation.
The two-day Battle of Nashville was a bloody conflict that took place exactly where downtown Music City now twangs with guitar strings and country hopefuls. It was one of the largest victories Union victories.
Have you been here or there? Have you studied the battles of Tennessee, or have family that fought at Franklin? If you have any neat facts or thoughts, Tennessee, let us know in the comments below!
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