Tracy City in Grundy County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

"Skirmish at Tracy City"

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, June 18, 2025

1. "Skirmish at Tracy City" Marker

Inscription.
On Jan. 20, 1864, Confederate Partisan Rangers led by Col. John M. Hughes, 25th TN Inf., and Maj. Willis S Bledsoe, 4th TN Cav., attacked Union forces of the 20th Connecticut, Co. B, under Lt. Col. William B. Wooster.

At Howard & Benham's Store, in an area known as the Heading, Confederates moved against Union occupiers. During the fighting, one Union soldier was killed and two Confederates were wounded.

After capturing the Union commander and others and attempting a surrender of Federal forces, orders were given to parole the prisoners. The Confederates left with overcoats, blankets, and other needed supplies. Due to this military action, Tracy City, TN was made temporarily useless as a source of coal for the Union.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is January 20, 1864.

Location. 35° 15.64′ N, 85° 44.179′ W. Marker is in Tracy City, Tennessee, in Grundy County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Railroad Avenue (U.S. 41), on the right when traveling east on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 465 Railroad Ave, Tracy City TN 37387, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau

and in the Highland Rim.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fiery Gizzard (here, next to this marker); Mountain Goat Railroad & Trail (within shouting

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distance of this marker); Roho The Coalminer (within shouting distance of this marker); Shook School Traffic Control (within shouting distance of this marker); Artifacts in the Exhibit Area (within shouting distance of this marker); Wooten Mine (within shouting distance of this marker); Why President Taft Came to Sewanee (Part II) (within shouting distance of this marker); Golden's No. 1 New Model Sorghum Mill (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tracy City.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, June 18, 2025

2. "Skirmish at Tracy City" Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2025, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 188 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 30, 2025, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.