Red Boiling Springs in Macon County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Red Boiling Springs
Enlistment Center and Civil War Hospital
The war came home for local residents on September 24, 1861, when Capts. Ridley R. West and Joseph L. Bryant organized Co. H, 28th Tennessee Infantry (CS) at the Webb (later the Dedman) Hotel. Webb's Hotel was the only one at the springs, but it was large enough to accommodate the soldiers and officers who passed through the village.
On October 22, 1861, Cols. John W. Head and James J. Turner organized the 30th Tennessee Infantry regiment here. Within months, however, many recruits found themselves in a Union prison, after the Confederate defeat and surrender at Fort Donelson.
Between 1861 and 1864, troops from both sides traversing the rugged Cumberland highlands stopped here, with the sick and wounded remaining for treatment. Dr. James Carson Weir, a Minnesota native who lived in neighboring Jackson County, established a hospital here when Union occupation forces appointed him surgeon.
In September 1862, however, when Gen. Braxton Bragg's army marched this way during his Kentucky invasion, Weir served the Confederates. Bragg wrote from here on September 18, "The troops are in good tone and condition; somewhat foot-sore and tired, but cheerful. They have submitted most heroically to privations and hardships and have maintained their reputation for discipline."
When the Federals reoccupied the springs, they took Weir prisoner but released him when he proved his Union sympathies. After the war, Red Boiling Springs became one of Tennessee's most prominent mineral springs resorts.
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. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1732.
Location. 36° 31.817′ N, 85° 50.672′ W. Marker is in Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee, in Macon County. Marker is on East Main Street (State Highway 151), on the right when traveling west. Located in the Red Boiling Springs Park near the historic hotels. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Red Boiling Springs TN 37150, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Confederate Enlistment Station (here, next to this marker); Site of Civil War Hospital (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Red Boiling Springs (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cumberland Trace (approx. ¼ mile away); Palace Hotel (approx. half a mile away); McClellan's General Store (approx. 0.9 miles away); Gibbs Crossroads (approx. 6 miles away); Gamaliel (approx. 8.1 miles away in Kentucky). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Red Boiling Springs.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2011, by Chad Comer of Gamaliel, Kentucky. This page has been viewed 710 times since then and 7 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on January 5, 2011, by Chad Comer of Gamaliel, Kentucky. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
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