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Morristown in Hamblen County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
 

Caught in the Crossfire

Morristown in the Civil War

 
 
Caught in the Crossfire Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Tom Bosse, March 12, 2017
1. Caught in the Crossfire Marker
Inscription. In 1861, Morristown was a small railroad town strategically located where the East Tennessee & Virginia Railroad crossed the road to the Cumberland Gap. Although much of East Tennessee was Unionist, Morristown's residents held secessionist sympathies. Confederate Capt. Stephen M. Cocke used a marching band playing patriotic tunes to recruit his unit, encouraging men on the streets to fall in line. By the time the band reached the end of Main Street, Cocke had stirred enough hearts to raise his company.

Amid Confederate zeal, Union Lt. James A. Bird, Co. F, 2nd Tennessee Infantry (US), also recruited soldiers. He was wounded while burning bridges in East Tennessee under his commander, Capt. David Fry. Bird, discharged in 1863, opened a store in Morristown, despite wounds, illness, and persecution for his service.

At the Battle of Morristown on October 28, 1864, Union Gen. Alvan C. Gillem's men attacked Confederate Gen. John C. Vaughn's force, which retreated toward Russellville. The fight was personal, as both generals were native Tennesseans. Vaughn reported, "I regret to say that my command was stampeded at Morristown this morning...the enemy has a superior force to mine, and I lost a good many men as prisoners." Two weeks later, however, Vaughn and Gen. John C. Breckinridge prevailed against Gillem at Bull's Gap.

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Tennessee General Assembly established Hamblen County in 1870, naming Morristown the county seat. By 1874, the county had recovered enough to erect this striking Second Empire-style courthouse.
 
Erected by Tennesse Civil War Trails.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 28, 1864.
 
Location. 36° 12.733′ N, 83° 17.9′ W. Marker is in Morristown, Tennessee, in Hamblen County. Marker is at the intersection of North Jackson Street and West First N Street (Route 66), on the left when traveling north on North Jackson Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Morristown TN 37814, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hamblen County World War II Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Hamblen County Mideast Wars Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Hamblen County World War I Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Hamblen County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Hamblen County POW/MIA Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Hamblen County Korean War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Hamblen County Vietnam War Memorial
Caught in the Crossfire Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Tom Bosse, March 12, 2017
2. Caught in the Crossfire Marker
(within shouting distance of this marker); Hamblen County Jail (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Morristown.
 
Gen. John C. Vaughn image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Tom Bosse
3. Gen. John C. Vaughn
Gen. Alvan C. Gillem image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Tom Bosse
4. Gen. Alvan C. Gillem
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,442 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 12, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 19, 2024