Germantown in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Raiding the Rails
Civil War in Germantown 1862
On June 22, at a curve in the track to your right, Confederate Col. William H. Jackson's cavalrymen derailed an entire Federal supply train. This train (the first out of Union-occupied Memphis) was carrying troops and supplies to Union Gen. William T. Sherman's headquarters at Lafayette (now Rossville). As the train approached, Jackson's men dislodged a rail, watched the wreck, and then emerged from hiding in the woods. Union Lt. Col. William H. Raynor, 56th Ohio Infantry, reported that they "took Col. [Peter] Kinney, together with 1 sergeant and 8 privates, of Company B, of this regiment, prisoners," with 73 others. When Sherman learned of this incident, he informed his superiors that Germantown "is a place of mischief. ... I am told they openly boast the Yankees will never run a train over the road."
Persitent attacks by Confederate Gen. Nathan B. Forrest's command along this vital supply line prompted the establishment of Federal camps to guard it. In 1863, a redoubt was constructed just east of here in another failed attempt to prevent Confederate raids. This derailment was one of several along the line, and one of at least eleven skirmishes in or near Germantown.
(sidebar)
Willim H. Jackson (1835-1903), attended West Tennessee College (now Union University) before his appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point (graduated 1856). He served as colonel, 1st Tennessee Cavalry (CSA), in 1861 and was promoted to general in 1862.
Erected 2017 by Tennessee Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 22, 1862.
Location. 35° 4.482′ N, 89° 47.784′ W. Marker is in Germantown, Tennessee, in Shelby County. Marker is on C.D. Smith Road, 0.3 miles west of Hacks Cross Road, on the right when traveling west. On the grounds of Union University Germantown Campus. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2745 Hacks Cross Rd, Germantown TN 38138, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Oaklawn Garden (approx. half a mile away); Neshoba Junior High School (approx. 0.6 miles away); Fort Germantown (approx. one mile away); Fortunate Survivor (approx. one mile away); Germantown Road (approx. 1.2 miles away); Glenn's Grocery and Dr. Seay's Office (1940s) (approx. 1.2 miles away); Germantown, Tennessee (approx. 1.2 miles away); Germantown Depot (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Germantown.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2017. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2017, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 430 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 4, 2017, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.