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There are three major military events covered on this site. In addition to the military events, there are also accounts of civilian life, Prisoner of War accounts, and a collection of pictures. The major topics covered include: |
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Following the Union capture of Forts Henry and Donelson and the occupation of Nashville, Northern forces began to occupy the countryside in and around the current location of Motlow College. This advance was slowed by the Confederate counter-attack which culminated in the battle of Shiloh, but following the Union success there the southeastern part of Middle Tennessee came under Union occupation. The Northern advance stopped at Cowan, the western edge of the Cumberland Mountains. This period prduced no major military engagements in the area but did give civilians their first taste of living under an army occupation.
The Tullahoma Campaign, Jan. 4 - July 4, 1863 The Army of Tennessee fell back from Murfreesboro to the line of the Duck River on January 5, 1863. Soon cavalry forays and small unit engagements flared all across Middle Tennessee from Gallatin to dover. In addition, the Confederates were actively gathering recruits and supplies in the area from Shelbyville to Columbia and beyond. The Army of the Cumberland was stationed at Murfreesboro and was busy in building up its arms and trying to protect its supply line. On JUne 24 the eleven days of maneuvering and skirmishing known as the Tullahoma Campaign began. Engagements occured at Hoovers Gap, Liberty Gap, and Shelbyville as the two opposing armies marched and maneuvered over three counties. On July 4 the confederates filed over Sewanee Mountain toward Chattanooga leaving Middle Tennessee firmly in Northern hands.
Occupation July 1863 - May 1866 Once the fighting forces moved east occupation troops took over. These troops were expected to protect the railroads from Confederate cavalry and guerilla attacks and were also expected to enforce military law. With the entire area under martial law the Provost Marshal was both judge and jury in southeastern Middle Tennessee. There are hundreds of documents from the Provost Marshal dealing with military matters such as guerrillas, mundane affairs such as land boundary disputes, and tragic events such as robbery and murder. A selection of Provost Marshal materials is included.
War affects more than those in the military. The materials on the site include letters and diaries from civilians, both men and women, who found their lives changed by war. There is also a collection of pictures of men and women of the area as they appeared during and immediately after the war. Accounts of Prisoners of War and civilians who were jailed by the armies are included in this section of the CWRC site.
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