150 Years | Tennessee Civil War Sesquicentennial

1861

January 7, 1861

Governor asks Legislature to consider secession

Governor Isham Harris asks the Legislature to adopt a resolution asking Tennesseans for a convention to consider secession. He recommends organization of a state militia and the purchase of arms.

1861

January 9, 1861

State rejects secession convention

The vote on a secession convention fails, nearly four-to-one, on the same day that Mississippi secedes. President Buchanan's cabinet members begin to resign, several Naval officers surrender their command.

1861

February 9, 1861

Tennessee voters reject secession

A statewide election rejected secession by a vote of 54% to 46%. After the attack on Fort Sumter and Lincoln’s call for more volunteers, Governor Isham Harris submitted an ordinance of secession to the Tennessee General Assembly.

1861

April 17, 1861

Governor denies Lincoln's request for troops

Tennessee Governor Isham Harris notifies Secretary of War Cameron that the state will not honor President Lincoln's demand for two regiments of Tennessee Militia.

1861

May 7, 1861

Tennessee negotiates alliance with Confederacy

After Gov. Harris mobilized troops and made overtures to the Confederacy, the Tennessee legislature ratified an agreement to enter a military league with the Confederacy.

1861

June 8, 1861

Tennessee becomes the last state to secede

With a change of heart among many middle Tennesseeans, voters approved a second referendum on secession. Many, possibly even a majority, are opposed, with East Tennessee voting 2-to-1 against secession. Tennessee is the last state to secede.

1861

June 26, 1861

Eastern counties try to stay in the Union

At the Greeneville Convention, all East Tennessee counties except Rhea met and petitioned the General Assembly to allow these counties to secede from the now-Confederate State of Tennessee and remain in the Union. Their request was denied.

1861

June 28, 1861

Tennessee drafts free black men in Confederate army

Tennessee General Assembly authorizes a draft of free black men into the Confederate army. Most free black men manage to evade both the Confederate draft and the local sheriffs compelled to enforce it.

1861

September 29, 1861

Skirmish at Travisville, first military action in Tennessee

Union cavalry surprised a Confederate camp, leaving four dead. One is buried in a marked grave near Forbus General Store.

1861

November 8, 1861

Bridge burners attack railroads

Local Unionists conspired to cripple the Confederate-controlled rail system by burning railroad bridges between Bristol and Chattanooga. Confederates later captured and hanged several bridge burners.

1861

December 11, 1861

Martial law declared in East Tennessee

Anger and suspicion in the aftermath of the bridge burnings and subsequent trials led Confederate authorities to establish martial law in Knoxville and surrounding areas.

1862

January 19, 1862

Battle of Fishing Creek

Also known as Mill Springs or Logan’s Crossroads, this battle began in Kentucky. Confederate advance under Generals Zollicoffer and Crittenden was turned back by George Thomas. Newspaper editor Zollicoffer wandered into Union focres at night and was killed. Confederates retreated toward Murfreesboro.

1862

February 6, 1862

Battle of Ft. Henry opens up the Tennessee River

The fort was meant to stop river traffic, not withstand assault. Rains flooded the powder magazine and half the mounted guns. In the first battle of the new Union ironclads, Grant’s victory opened water routes to Muscle Shoals, AL.

1862

February 7, 1862

Confederate steamers burn

Confederate forces burned three of their own steam boats at the mouth of the Duck River to prevent their capture.

1862

February 8, 1862

Railroad bridge destroyed

The Union navy destroyed the Memphis, Clarksville & Louisville Railroad bridge on the Tennessee River

1862

February 12, 1862

Battle of Fort Donelson

The furious battle in freezing temperatures left Union gunboats slippery with blood, wounded Gen. Foote, and disabled two ships. A breakout allowed 2,000 Confederate troops to flee to Nashville, but poor communication and Union reinforcements turned the tide.

1862

February 16, 1862

Confederates surrender Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River

After four days the Confederate attack on Grant’s line ultimately failed. Grant’s first major victory ensured that Kentucky remained in the Union, and gave him the nickname “Unconditional Surrender.”

1862

February 19, 1862

Tennessee capitol moved

When Union forces were able to occupy Clarksville, Gov. Harris moved the Tennessee Confederate capitol to Memphis.

1862

February 22, 1862

Martial law declared in west Tennessee

Gen. Grant suspended civil government and declared martial law. Lincoln then appointed Andrew Johnson as military governor.

1862

February 23, 1862

Confederate evacuation of Nashville

The success of the Union offensive along the Tennessee River forced the Confederacy to leave Nashville, surrendering Kentucky and middle Tennessee. Nashville became a massive supply depot for the Union army.

1862

February 25, 1862

Union forces take Nashville

Nashville became the first Confederate state capitol to fall and the Union occupation began. Nathan Forrest provided a rear guard for the Army of Central Kentucky's withdrawal to Alabama.

1862

February 26, 1862

Women train for battle

Memphis women began shooting practice, astonishing some less capable men with their shooting, while others raised money for a gunboat. Refugees streamed in from Nashville and Island No. 10, straining the city's resources and adding to poverty and crime.

1862

March 3, 1862

Johnson becomes governor of Tennessee

Tennessee Sen. Andrew Johnson is appointed military governor of Tennessee and arrives in Nashville to head the occupation forces.

1862

March 15, 1862

Union lays seige

The Union begins to lay seige to both Island Number 10 and Tiptonville.

1862

April 6, 1862

Battle of Shiloh

This costly 2-day battle saw 23,746 men killed or wounded, more than the casualties of the American Revolution, War of 1812 and Mexican-American War combined. Confederates, defeated by heavy reinforcements, retreated to Mississippi.

1862

April 8, 1862

Battle of Island Number 10: Confederates surrender island on Mississippi River

The island was an excellent spot to hamper Union ships. A Union siege, from Feb. 28-April 8, blocked the supply road and bombarded the island. The Union victory opened the river all the way past Memphis.

1862

May 1, 1862

Federal supplies captured

C.S. Cavalry under Col. John Hunt Morgan captured U.S. wagon train near Pulaski.

1862

May 3, 1862

Flags needed for battle

C. Woolmer’s of Memphis advertises for women to make flags for the war.

1862

May 28, 1862

Bank assets moved from Memphis

Gen. Beauregard orders the Banks of Tennessee to move its money,books and papers into a car at the junction of Main and Madison Streets and leave, under guard, for Mobile, Atlanta and Athens.

1862

June 1, 1862

Building of Fort Pickering in Memphis

Memphis was a place of refuge for thousands of slaves who flocked to the Union for protection. Fort Pickering soon became a major U.S.C.T. training post and home to several U.S.C.T. regiments.

1862

June 1, 1862

Confederacy begins smuggling supplies into Memphis

Over the next two years, until June 1864, an estimated $20 to $30 million dollars in supplies are smuggled into the Confederacy through Memphis. Many women are active in the smuggling trade, concealing goods and letters in their hoop skirts.

1862

June 6, 1862

Battle of Memphis: Union forces occupy Memphis

The lightly armed Confederate fleet, low on fuel, stayed for a wild fight in close quarters. Union ironclads sank all but one Confederate ship, opening the river to Vicksburg and establishing Memphis as a major supply base.

1862

June 7, 1862

Bombardment of Chattanooga

Brig. Gen. James Negley bombards Chattanooga from Stringer’s Ridge, then withdraws a day later. Jackson is captured.

1862

June 17, 1862

Bragg takes command in Tennessee

Gen. Braxton Bragg replaces Beauregard in command of the C.S. Army of Tennessee.

1862

July 3, 1862

Bragg moves to Chattanooga

Gen. Braxton Bragg moves the Army of Tennessee by rail from Tupelo, Mississippi, to Chattanooga.

1862

July 10, 1862

Grant removes Confederate employees from Memphis

Gen. U.S. Grant orders the removal from Memphis of those holding commissions or voluntarily enlisted in the C.S. Army, employed by the Confederate government, or holding state or local office while loyal to the Confederacy.

1862

July 13, 1862

U.S. Garrison captured at Murfreesboro

Col. Nathan Bedford Forrest captures a U.S. garrison at Murfreesboro.

1862

August 19, 1862

Railroad raids

Three days of raids on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad began.

1862

October 5, 1862

Battle of Davis Bridge

Also called Hatchie’s Bridge or Matamora, the battle was fought in Hardeman and McNairy Counties. Union brigades, traveling south from Bolivar, took high ground and pushed the Confederate Army back across Davis Bridge.

1862

November 11, 1862

Grand Junction established

Gen. Grant assigned John Eaton, Jr., a chaplain with the 27th Ohio Infantry, as superintendent of contrabands and to oversee the state's first contraband camp at Grand Junction.

1862

November 22, 1862

Memphis Relief Organization fights poverty

The Memphis Relief Organization makes a valiant effort to provide food and shelter to the poor. Dealing with poverty and crime continues to be a challenge as more and more refugees come into the city, many starving and ill; hundreds will die.

1862

December 7, 1862

Fort Negley complete

Soldiers and conscripted black workers, free and slave, build Fort Negley in 3 months, probably the first large-scale use of contraband labor in Tennessee during the war. With little food, shelter, or clothing, many workers die; most are never paid. Fort Negley is a model for future projects; Union officers conscript black men and work them mercilessly.

1862

December 31, 1862

Battle of Parker's Crossroads

“Charge ‘em both ways!” commanded Nathan Bedford Forrest, attacked on two fronts. With his two-pronged charge, the audacious “Wizard of the Saddle” rebuffed Fuller and broke through Dunham’s forces to withdraw across the Tennessee River.

1862

December 31, 1862

Battle of Stone's River, Murfreesboro

This bloody but inconclusive four-day battle had the highest percentage of casualties on either side. Rosecrans repelled two Confederate attacks and Bragg’s troops withdrew, boosting Union morale and dashing Confederate hopes for controlling middle Tennessee.

1863

January 1, 1863

Emancipation Proclamation

President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing all slaves in regions under Confederate control. Tennessee, still under Union control, was exempt along with several other states, even though slavery still existed there.

1863

January 16, 1863

Battle of Dandridge

Gen. James Longstreet ordered troops to follow a Federal move toward Dandridge. After fighting all day, Federal units retreated to safety and were gone before midnight. Longstreet's men returned to winter quarters near Morristown and Russellville.

1863

March 4, 1863

Battle of Thompson’s Station

When Coburn’s infantry inexplicably left the field, Forrest's men surrounded him. Not strategically important, the battle showed that the Confederates were still dangerous, tying up Union forces for months.

1863

March 20, 1863

Establishment of Camp Dixie (President's Island)

A contraband camp called Camp Dixie was established just one and a half miles south of Memphis. Due to the location of President's Island, Federal officials would move all Memphis contrabands here for safety in November 1864.

1863

May 22, 1863

Bureau of Colored Troops Formed

The U.S. War Department formed the Bureau of Colored Troops to oversee the enlistment of black soldiers and the selection of officers for black regiments.

1863

June 23, 1863

Tullahoma Campaign

Considered Rosecrans’ crowning achievement, he made significant gains with few casualties and drove the Confederates out of Middle Tennessee. Rosecrans did not pursue Bragg toward Chattanooga, and Bragg turned the tables in Chickamauga.

1863

September 8, 1863

Battle of Limestone Station

After two hours of fighting, the 100th Ohio Volunteer Infantry surrendered to a larger Confederate force led by Gen. Alfred E. Jackson. More than 200 Union officers and soldiers were taken prisoner.

1863

September 10, 1863

Bureau of U.S.C.T. opens in Nashville

George Luther Stearns, an abolitionist and later a leader in the Freedmen's Bureau, was placed in charge of recruiting U.S.C.T. in Tennessee. More than 20,000 of the 180,000 U.S.C.T. were from Tennessee, and over 5,000 U.S.C.T. casualties occurred in the state.

1863

September 19, 1863

Battle of Chickamauga

The most crucial Confederate victory of the Western Theater, only Gettysburg was bloodier. Driven from Chattanooga, Bragg hammered until the Union line broke, driving a third of Union troops from the field. Rosecrans fled to Chattanooga, with Bragg on surrounding ridges.

1863

November 23, 1863

Battles for Chattanooga (Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge)

Bragg laid siege from high ground. Grant reopened a supply line and, with Sherman’s reinforcements, captured Orchard Knob and Lookout Mountain.

1863

November 25, 1863

Battle of Missionary Ridge

Sherman launched a surprise attack on Bragg’s right flank, while Grant sent Thomas to the base of the ridge. In the confusion, Thomas’s men charged to the top, routing the Army of Tennessee and effectively ending Confederate control of Tennessee.

1863

November 29, 1863

Battle of Fort Sanders

Longstreet attacked the Union earthworks in Knoxville, thinking it vulnerable. Intelligence reports failed to mention the vertical ditch in front. Without scaling ladders, the ill-fated attack lasted only 20 minutes, dealing the final blow to the Confederates in East Tennessee.

1864

April 12, 1864

Battle of Fort Pillow; Fort Pillow captured

The aftermath of the battle continues to be controversial, with conflicting reports of the action. Forrest maintained that Bradford refused to surrender until most were dead; the Federals insisted that it was a massacre, killing 64% of black soldiers and 31% of the white soldiers.

1864

November 4, 1864

Battle of Johnsonville

When Forrest disabled Federal gunboats, the Union burned its own transport ships to prevent capture, but flames spread to the supply area. Confederates prevented the blaze being extinguished, then withdrew in the night. The stunning victory destroyed $2.2 million in Union supplies but did not stop the Union advance.

1864

November 29, 1864

Battle of Spring Hill

Hood crossed the Duck River, hoping to take crucial Franklin Pike. Schofield fought off Confederate attack while the rest of his army travelled silently past to Franklin. Hood’s failure set up the bloody battle of Franklin and lost the chance to destroy the Union army.

1864

November 30, 1864

Battle of Franklin

Hood attacked Schofield against the advice of Cleburne and Forrest. Brutal hand-to-hand combat was in smoke too thick to tell friend from foe. It was said the Army of Tennessee died at Carnton Plantation, with 1,750 killed, including six generals. Total casualties: almost 9,500.

1864

December 15, 1864

Battle of Nashville

For two weeks Thomas planned the destruction of the Army of Tennessee. A dawn attack on Hood’s right preceded charges on Montgomery Hill. Hood regrouped, but Union troops took Shy’s Hill, then renewed the charge on Overton’s Hill. Hood retreated to Tupelo and resigned.

1865

March 3, 1865

Establishment of the Freedmen's Bureau

U.S. Congress established the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, later known as the Freedmen's Bureau, to ease the transition to freedom for formerly enslaved African Americans. The bureau was designed to function for only one year but would continue in operation until 1868.

1865

March 4, 1865

Lincoln inaugurated for second term

President Lincoln was inaugurated for a second term, with Andrew Johnson, a Tennessee Democrat, as Vice President.

1865

April 5, 1865

The 13th Amendment in Tennessee

Just days after Tennessee voters ratified the new state constitution, which included an anti-slavery amendment, the Tennessee General Assembly ratified the 13th Amendment, legally abolishing slavery statewide.

1865

April 9, 1865

Lee surrenders

Gen. Lee surrendered to Gen. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia. Lincoln and Grant gave U.S.C.T. regiments the privilege of being the first troops to occupy the Confederate capital at Richmond.

1865

April 14, 1865

Lincoln's assassination

President Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at the Ford's Theatre in Washington D.C. He died the next day, and Vice President Andrew Johnson became President.

1865

April 26, 1865

Army of Tennessee surrenders

Confederate Gen. Joe Johnston met with Gen. William T. Sherman in North Carolina to negotiate the surrender of the Army of Tennessee.

1865

April 27, 1865

The Sultana lost

The Mississippi River paddle wheeler was lost when its boilers exploded near Memphis. This resulted in the greatest maritime disaster in U.S. history with 1,800 of the 2,400 passengers killed, many of whom were former prisoners of war who had just been released.

1865

May 29, 1865

Amnesty Proclamation

President Johnson issued his Amnesty Proclamation which extended amnesty and pardon to ex-Confederates willing to take an oath of allegiance. This proclamation also included his Reconstruction strategy.

1865

December 6, 1865

The 13th Amendment Ratified

Although the Senate passed the 13th Amendment in April of 1864,followed by the House in January of 1865, the amendment was not ratified and adopted into the U.S. Constitution until later that year.