At the Center of Siege, Battle, and Occupations,

At the Center of Siege, Battle, and Occupations,. William Duncan’s Home Witnessed Much Civil War Action. William Lane Duncan moved his dry goods operation to Corinth in 1858. Already a local leader, the South Carolina native had twice won elections as Tishomingo County sheriff., To accommodate his growing family, Duncan built this house at the corner of Bunch and Jackson Streets. Fourteen-foot ceilings and oversized windows kept the home’s interior cool during hot southern summers., Like the majority of his neighbors, William Duncan opposed secession. However, after Mississippi left the Union on January 1861, he became an ardent supporter of the Confederacy. He briefly served as an assistant quartermaster, helping supply the “Army of 10,000” then organizing in Corinth., After the Battle of Shiloh, Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard moved his headquarters to the Duncan House, while William took his family south to Rienzi. Too old to fight in the ranks himself, Duncan provided three sons to serve the Confederacy. One would be killed in battle. Following the war, William Duncan returned to Corinth and passed away in 1876. Over the next century, the Duncan House saw many alterations under the Young family and other owners. After World War I the home was relocated to Polk Street, placing the house on logs and using mules to pull it across the block., In 2014, when a change in ownership threatened its future, Nancy Ann 7 Kenneth Williams purchased the Duncan House, subsequently restoring the exterior to its historic Civil War appearance., “Corinth was the key to the richness of the Mississippi Valley and the outer gateway to the Eastern South; and so if with these reasons urging Richmond, Corinth and these two essential lines of transportation could not be saved, the future of the Confederacy would be dark indeed.” , William Duncan, “Recollections of Thomas D. Duncan”, “Among the citizens of Old Tishomingo County no one is entitled to more consideration and appreciative remembrance than the Hon. William Lane Duncan.” , History of Old Tishomingo County, Mississippi Territory, “…a man of fine intellect and untiring energy, he possessed a wonderful influence in his country, and was known to be warmly devoted to his personal friends.”, “…he would go through fire and water for a friend…” , Reuben Davis, “Recollections of Mississippi and Mississippians”, (captions) , 1860 – Miller Sketch Book, Northeast Mississippi Regional Library, Store script from Duncan and Kincaid of Corinth. Collection of Van Hedges, Business of William Duncan on Front Street, Corinth, circa 1863. Collection of Lad Kite.