Henderson in Chester County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Fighting For Control

Mobile & Ohio Railroad

Photographed By David Austin, August 27, 2020

1. Fighting for Control Marker

Inscription.

Fighting For Control. Mobile and Ohio Railroad. The three-year fight in present-day Chester County for control of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad often touched the lives of Henderson's residents. Henderson's Station, as it was called, served as a Confederate recruiting center for the 51st and 52nd Tennessee Infantry regiments in January 1862. Pockets of Unionists, however, lived in the surrounding countryside., In March 1862, Confederate forces rendezvoused here before the pivotal battle of Shiloh early in April. After the Confederate defeat there, Union troops occupied Henderson to guard the railroad line. On November 25, Confederate Maj. Nicholas N. Cox's guerrillas raided the depot here, which was filled with weapons and supplies, and burned it to the ground. The 49th Illinois Infantry lost one soldier killed and more than 30 captured. Union Gen. Jeremiah C. Sullivan retaliated against the civilians and reported in January 1863, "I assessed the secession sympathizers living near the place a sum sufficient to pay all damages. I have in my possession about $8,000. What shall be done with it?", The November raid was the major engagement at Henderson Station. The last recorded action came in September 1863, when Union forces drove away a party of Confederate pickets and scouts. By this time, the Union presence the county had been significantly strengthened by the actions of Col. Fielding Hurst's 6th Tennessee Cavalry (US), based in nearby Purdy, the McNairy County seat during the war., (sidebar) , After the war, residents worked hard to rebuild and recover. Chester County was formed in 1879 from parts of McNairy and three other counties, and Henderson became the county seat. The Classical Revival, style courthouse, built in 1913, is listed the National Register of Historic Places., (captions) , Burned depot, Nashville, 1864 - Courtesy Library of Congress, Gen. Jeremiah Sullivan Courtesy National Archives and Records Administration, Col. Fielding Hurst Courtesy www.hurstnation.com, Maj. Nicholas N. Cox Courtesy U.S. House of Representatives . This historical marker was erected by Tennessee Civil War Trails. It is in Henderson in Chester County Tennessee

The three-year fight in present-day Chester County for control of the Mobile & Ohio Railroad often touched the lives of Henderson's residents. Henderson's Station, as it was called, served as a Confederate recruiting center for the 51st and 52nd Tennessee Infantry regiments in January 1862. Pockets of Unionists, however, lived in the surrounding countryside.

In March 1862, Confederate forces rendezvoused here before the pivotal battle of Shiloh early in April. After the Confederate defeat there, Union troops occupied Henderson to guard the railroad line. On November 25, Confederate Maj. Nicholas N. Cox's guerrillas raided the depot here, which was filled with weapons and supplies, and burned it to the ground. The 49th Illinois Infantry lost one soldier killed and more than 30 captured. Union Gen. Jeremiah C. Sullivan retaliated against the civilians and reported in January 1863, "I assessed the secession sympathizers living near the place a sum sufficient to pay all damages. I have in my possession about $8,000. What shall be done with it?"

The November raid was the major engagement at Henderson Station. The last recorded

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action came in September 1863, when Union forces drove away a party of Confederate pickets and scouts. By this time, the Union presence the county had been significantly strengthened by the actions of Col. Fielding Hurst's 6th Tennessee Cavalry (US), based in nearby Purdy, the McNairy County seat during the war.

(sidebar)
After the war, residents worked hard to rebuild and recover. Chester County was formed in 1879 from parts of McNairy and three other counties, and Henderson became the county seat. The Classical Revival—style courthouse, built in 1913, is listed the National Register of Historic Places.

(captions)
Burned depot, Nashville, 1864 - Courtesy Library of Congress

Gen. Jeremiah Sullivan Courtesy National Archives & Records Administration

Col. Fielding Hurst Courtesy www.hurstnation.com

Maj. Nicholas N. Cox Courtesy U.S. House of Representatives

Erected by Tennessee 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.

Location. 35° 26.398′ N, 88° 38.421′ W. Marker is in Henderson, Tennessee, in Chester

Photographed By David Austin, August 27, 2020

2. Fighting for Control Marker

County. Marker is at the intersection of East Main Street (Tennessee Route 365) and North Cason Avenue, on the left when traveling east on East Main Street. Located in front of the Chester County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 133 E Main St, Henderson TN 38340, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Chester County War Memorial (here, next to this marker); Tornado of 1952 (here, next to this marker); Chester County Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); Freed-Hardeman College (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Eddy Arnold (about 400 feet away); Cox's Raid (about 600 feet away); Henderson at War (approx. 0.2 miles away); Historic Front Street (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Henderson.

1864

3. Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad Depot, Nashville, Tenn., March, 1864

Library of Congress [LC-DIG-ppmsca-33398]

Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2020, by David Austin of Scotts Hill, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 221 times since then and 95 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 27, 2020, by David Austin of Scotts Hill, Tennessee. 3. submitted on August 27, 2020. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.