Wartburg in the War

Wartburg in the War. Rugged Renegades. , Tennessee ratified secession in June 1861, but Morgan County, like most East Tennessee counties, voted to remain in the Union. Bitter divisions occurred as many residents supported the Confederacy, including George Gerding, founder of Wartburg. Soon, Confederates in East Tennessee threatened Unionists here. Many fled to Kentucky to avoid the Confederate draft or to enlist in the Federal army. The Rev. John Wilken, Lutheran pastor and Wartburg Unionist, fled the region until Federal forces regained control. , Both armies contended for the communication and transportation lines in the county. On February 2, 1862, Confederate Col. J.W. White's 1st Tennessee Cavalry clashed near Wartburg with the Union Home Guard, which retreated after five were killed. On March 28, Confederate Gen. Kirby Smith reported another "sharp skirmish" at Wartburg: "The entire population of these counties is hostile to us, those able to bear arms being regularly organized as Home Guards. All loyal citizens have been expelled from the country." In June 1863, Union Col. William P. Sanders's troops marched through Montgomery and Wartburg, capturing a Confederate garrison's 104 soldiers., Constant foraging by both armies devastated farms. Local government collapsed, leaving isolated families vulnerable to law lessness and guerilla raids. After the Knoxville Campaign, the Confederates abandoned most of East Tennessee, and the Federals restored stability. The county seat was relocated here from Montgomery after the war, a new courthouse was constructed (this one replaced it in 1904), and communities were rebuilt., Captions , "Refugees Leaving the Old Homestead" , All images courtesy Library of Congress, Gen. Kirby Smith, "Guerrilla Depredations", Federal foragers , "Military Map of Middle Tennessee"