Meridian in Lauderdale County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Sherman's "Bow Tie"

Meridian Civil War Trail

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 15, 2014

1. Sherman's "Bow Tie" Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

To prevent repair of rails, General Sherman's troops created “bow ties.” They burned crossties to heat rails, then twisted the rails around trees. Altogether they destroyed more than 100 miles of track around Meridian.

Erected 2014 by the Meridian/Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau. (Marker Number 2.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil.

Location. 32° 21.881′ N, 88° 41.714′ W. Marker is in Meridian, Mississippi, in Lauderdale County. Marker can be reached from Front Street, 0.1 miles west of 17th Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1801 Front Street, Meridian MS 39301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Depot Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); Railroads and the War (within shouting distance of this marker); Meridian (within shouting distance of this marker); Jimmie Rodgers & The Blues (within shouting distance of this

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marker); Meridian's "C" Battery (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Moe Bandy (about 800 feet away); Freedom Riders (approx. 0.2 miles away); Elsie McWilliams (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Meridian.

Also see . . . Wikipedia entry: Sherman's neckties. (Submitted on September 26, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Sherman's "Bow Tie" examples image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 15, 2014

2. Sherman's "Bow Tie" examples

Sherman's "Bow Tie" Marker area image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 15, 2014

3. Sherman's "Bow Tie" Marker area

Heating up the rails! image. Click for full size.

G.N. Barnard - Public Domain

4. Heating up the rails!

Four men with crowbars seem to be twisting a rail, following Sherman's orders.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 6, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,386 times since then and 124 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 26, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.