Waynesboro in Wayne County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Incident at Waynesboro
A Case of Friendly Fire
As Murphy’s column made its way here, the veteran 7th Illinois Mounted Infantry was returning from duty at Hamburg Landing on the Tennessee River, heading for Pulaski. As they marched along the Pinbook-Waynesboro road, they halted about two miles outside the county seat to eat and feed their mounts. After dinner, the Illinois soldiers galloped into Waynesboro, not suspecting what was about to happen.
A Waynesboro citizen who saw the Illinois men riding hard toward town thought that they were Confederates. As he fled in the opposite direction, he ran directly into Murphy’s column. When asked if he had seen any guerrillas, the citizen pointed toward the Illinois regiment’s advance guard, and the fighting began. Bullets flew several minutes, wounding three, until respective commanders determined that they were on the same side. Afterward, the 5th Tennessee occupied Waynesboro while the 7th Illinois marched to camp at the Pointer Brothers’ iron furnace five miles east of town.
"The Fifth Tennessee having been deceived so often by guerillas dressed in federal uniforms, they have in consequence become very vigilant." - Sgt. D. Leib Ambrose, 7th Illinois Mounted Infantry
Erected 2012 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 Former U.S. Presidents: #17 Andrew Johnson, and the Tennessee Civil War Trails series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1863.
Location. 35° 19.176′ N, 87° 45.757′ W. Marker is in Waynesboro, Tennessee, in Wayne County. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Public Square, Waynesboro TN 38485, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Sons of Confederate Veterans (a few steps from this marker); Wayne County World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Wayne County Revolutionary War Veterans (within shouting distance of this marker); Waynesboro Operation Enduring Freedom & Operation Iraqi Freedom Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Mark Collie (within shouting distance of this marker); Difficult Times (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Waynesboro Cumberland Presbyterian Church (about 600 feet away); Wayne Furnace (approx. 4.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waynesboro.
More about this marker. This marker is currently displayed in the courthouse. Issues arose with the placement of the marker at the intended location. The marker will be place somewhere next to Wayne Co Courthouse. Marker was to be place February 2012.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 15, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 773 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 15, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.