Monterey in Putnam County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Gen. John T. Wilder

East Tennessee Railroads and Bridges

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, October 15, 2016

1. Gen. John T. Wilder Marker

Inscription. Born in New York's Catskill Mountains, Union general and postwar Tennessee industralist John T. Wilder joined the 17th Indian Volunteers when the Civil War began. Wilder and his 17thh Indian Mounted Infantry (nickname "Wilder's Lighting Brigade") were an effective force against Confederate combatants, including those under Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest. Using Spencer repeating rifles that Wilder purchased, his men fired seven rounds in the same time it took their musket-toting Confederate counterparts to shoot twice. Wilder distinguished himself during the Tullahoma Campaign and the battles for Chickamauga and Chattanooga. A year later, he resigned from the army and went home.

Soon after the war, Wilder returned to Tennessee and began exploring the area's vast iron and coal deposits. He established steel mills, coal mines, and coke ovens here and created jobs. He opened coal mines a few moles north of Monterey and attracted community.

Wilder built a house in Monterey at S. Holly Street and E. Stewart Avenue, just south of the Monterey Tennessee Central Depot. He developed the 20-room Imperial Hotel at E. Commercial Avenue and S. Holly Street. Highly respected for his civic leadership by veterans of both sides, he supported the creation of a national military park at the Chickamauga and Chattanooga battlefields. Wilder,

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a former Chattanooga mayor and honorary member of the Nathan B. Forrest Bivouac of the United Confederate Veterans (UCV), died on October 20, 1917. The UCV national chaplain officiated at Wilder's funeral. He is buried with his family in Forest Hills Cemetery in Chattanooga.

Erected by Tennessee Civil War Trails.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Civil War Trails series list.

Location. 36° 8.82′ N, 85° 16.09′ W. Marker is in Monterey, Tennessee, in Putnam County. It can be reached from the intersection of East Depot Avenue and South Holly Street (Tennessee Route 84). Marker is next to Monterey Depot Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 E Depot Ave, Monterey TN 38574, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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: Stokes' Atrocity (within shouting distance of this marker); Phillips Shoes (within shouting distance of this marker); Ludwig Lamp (within shouting distance of this marker); The Wilder Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Cup and Saucer (within shouting distance of this marker); Post Office

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 4, 2019

2. Gen. John T. Wilder Marker

(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Goff's Drug Store (about 300 feet away); Horn's Shed (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Monterey.

Also see . . .
1. John T. Wilder Civil War Correspondence and Papers. Here you have met in friendly intercourse many men who in that great battle you met in hottest combat; whose volleys you met with desolating fire; whose grand attack you met with rushing charge. How well do I remember your defense of the line of the Chickamauga River on that dusty Friday before the great battle was joined, when both armies were sweeping toward the goal of strife--Chattanooga. John T. Wilder, Dedication of Chickamauga Park (Submitted on October 21, 2016, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)

2. John T. Wilder USA Colonel January 31, 1830 - October 20, 1917. Born in the Catskill Mountains of New York, Wilder was descended from a long line of patriots. Both his grandfather and great grandfather fought in the War for Independence (the latter losing a leg at Bunker Hill) and his father took part in the War of 1812. (Submitted on October 21, 2016, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 4, 2019

3. Gen. John T. Wilder Marker

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, October 15, 2016

4. Gen. John T. Wilder Marker

1909 Imperial Hotel

Gen. John T. Wilder image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, October 15, 2016

5. Gen. John T. Wilder

This picture is hanging inside the Train Depot Museum.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2016, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,253 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 21, 2016, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 2, 3. submitted on July 7, 2019, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 4, 5. submitted on October 21, 2016, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.