Portland in Sumner County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Captain Ellis Harper
1842-1908
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, May 3, 2020
1. Captain Ellis Harper Marker
Three-quarters of a mile northeast of here was the birthplace of Captain Ellis Harper. Harper's military service began with strong objection his Unionist parents, Ezekiel and Sarah Ellis Harper, when he enlisted in Company I of the 50th Tennessee Infantry Regiment. Harper was captured at Fort Donelson on February 16, 1862, and was imprisoned at Camp Butler, Illinois. After five months there he escaped and returned to Tennessee.
Continued
Here Harper was commissioned by Colonel John Hunt Morgan to form a company of partisans to operate behind Union lines with the primary objective of disrupting the L & N Railroad. Harper's activities continued successfully throughout the war. On October 10, 1864, Harper with his guerrilla band killed four Union soldiers and two railroad laborers near South Tunnel. On June 25, 1908, during an argument over the gubernatorial race, Harper was fatally shot by William Suite in Lebanon.
Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3B 70.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 16, 1862.
Location. 36° 35.087′ N, 86°
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Zollicoffer's Headquarters (approx. ¼ mile away); Richland (approx. 0.3 miles away); Portland - Strawberry Capital of Middle Tennessee (approx. 0.3 miles away); Invasion of Kentucky (approx. 0.4 miles away); Cold Spring School (approx. half a mile away); Historic Cold Springs (approx. half a mile away); In Memory of Our Brave Men and Women (approx. 0.6 miles away); In Honor and Remembrance (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portland.
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, May 3, 2020
2. Captain Ellis Harper Marker Reverse
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, April 23, 2023
3. Captain Ellis Harper Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2020, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 378 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 4, 2020, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 3. submitted on April 23, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
