Athens in Limestone County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Athens Sacked and Plundered

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 4, 2009

1. Athens Sacked and Plundered Marker

Inscription. On May 2, 1862, Union troops of the 19th and 24th Illinois and the 37th Indiana Regiments commanded by Col. John Basil Turchin went on a rampage through the town. They looted and plundered stores and homes, stealing clothing, jewelry and anything of value, destroying what they didn't want. For months afterward, the soldiers stabled their horses in some of the town's churches, burned the pews for firewood and destroyed the interiors. Col. Turchin, born Ivan Vasillevitch Turchinoff in Russia, was court martialed in Huntsville for encouraging these actions, but his wife appealed to Abraham Lincoln for clemency on his behalf. Turchin was promoted to Brig. Gen. one day before the court martial.

Erected 1991 by Limestone County Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1829.

Location. 34° 48.147′ N, 86° 58.32′ W. Marker is in Athens, Alabama, in Limestone County. Marker is at the intersection of South Jefferson Street and West Washington Street, on the right when traveling north on South Jefferson Street. Located on the courthouse grounds. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Athens AL 35611, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Athens First Presbyterian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Courthouse and South Side of Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Courthouse and Poor Farm Fence (within shouting distance of this marker); Athens, Alabama (within shouting distance of this marker); James Edwin Horton, Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); West Side of Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Limestone County Iraq — Afghanistan Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Limestone County Beirut Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Athens.

Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia section on Ivan Vasillevitch Turchinoff (Turchin) in the Civil War. (Submitted on August 15, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
2. The Encyclopedia of Alabama article on the Sack of Athens. (Submitted on August 15, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Athens Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 23, 2009

2. Athens Courthouse

Then Colonel John Basil Turchin (born Ivan Vasilyevich Turchaninov.) image. Click for full size.

Public domain

3. Then Colonel John Basil Turchin (born Ivan Vasilyevich Turchaninov.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 16, 2017. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 2,167 times since then and 63 times this year. Last updated on July 13, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 25, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 3. submitted on August 15, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.