Commodore Hotel - Linden TN
your Hub for Civil War Touring -
CIVIL
WAR DRIVING TOUR - PERRY COUNTY TN
The Civil War impacted Perry County in much the same way as the rest of
the United States east of the Mississippi in that the local population
experienced division in sentiment to both the Union and the Confederacy.
When Tennessee seceded from the Union, the county first organized about
six hundred Confederate troops. Later two hundred men joined the Union
Army. In 1863 one hundred twenty Confederate soldiers had command of the
post of Linden.
Up
and down the Tennessee River, major battles were fought for control of
this water way and the adjacent towns. A few miles south of here, an amphibious
attack on Linden, Tennessee, occurred May 12, 1863. United States Navy
gunboats ferried a force of Union Calvary men to the eastern shore of
the Tennessee River. The Calvary attacked the town of Linden at dawn,
surprising the residents and confederate forces. Forty prisoners, fifty
horses and two wagons were captured and the Courthouse was burned. The
amphibious attack signified a new tactic developed during the Civil War.
Make the Commodore Hotel and Linden the "base camp"
for your Civil War Touring Adventure......Follow the links below to explore
the many fascinating areas close by.....
Shiloh National Military Park
Shiloh TN 38376
731-689-5696
The first large-scale battle of the war was fought here
near Pittsburg Landing on the Tennessee River April 6-7, 1862. The Confederate
Army of the Mississippi led by Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, marching north
from Corinth, Ms, managed to surprise U.S. Grant’s Union army camped
near the landing. The early-morning Confederate attack April 6 overran
the Northern camps and forced the stunned Union army back toward the river.
Stubborn resistance at places such as the Hornet’s Nest and the
disorganization of the attackers staved off a Union disaster. During the
fighting that first day, Johnston, regarded by many as the best Southern
general, was killed. The Confederates, now under Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard,
renewed the attack the next day, but timely Union reinforcements helped
turn the battle around. Federal counterattacks swept the Confederates
from the field and back to Corinth.
The battlefield park here is perhaps the best preserved in the country.
A driving tour takes visitors past the site of such landmarks as the Bloody
Pond, Hornet’s Nest, Peach Orchard and the site of Shiloh Church.
Park open dawn to dusk daily. Visitor center open 8 am-5 pm daily. $3/adults,
$5 families.
Salem
Cemetery Battlefield
Cotton Grove Road
Madison County
Jackson, TN
Unaware of the deadly ambush that lay ahead, General
Nathan Bedford Forrest's cavalry column rode south down Cotton Grove Road
toward Jackson on the morning of December 19, 1862. Federal troops lie
just over the crest of the ridges on both sides of the road. When the
head of the column reached a large oak tree next to the road, the Federals
loosed a deadly volley killing or wounding both men and horses.
Johnsonville
State Historic Park
90 Redoubt Lane
New Johnsonville, TN 37134
Office: 931-535-2789
Fax: 931-535-3776
Confederate Gen. N.B. Forrest attacked a large Union
supply base here on the east bank of the Tennessee River Nov. 4–5,
1864, hoping to disrupt Union Gen. William T. Sherman’s activities
in Georgia. Forrest set up artillery on the west bank of the river and
bombarded the base. Union gunboats in the river, attempting to return
fire, were disabled by Forrest’s well-placed guns. A fire started
by Federal soldiers quickly got out of hand, eventually destroying $2.2
million in supplies. Forrest’s success did little to slow Sherman,
however, who began his famous “March to the Sea” shortly afterward.
Earthworks that once protected the base are preserved and open to the
public. Site open 8 am–sunset. Hiking trail through historic area.
Tennessee
River Museum
495 Main St., Savannah TN 38372
800 522-FUNN
Excellent Civil War exhibits are one of the highlights of this well-done
museum tracing the history of the Tennessee River. Artifacts relating
to the Shiloh battlefield and other Civil War items are on display.
Open Monday–Saturday 9 am–5 pm, Sunday 1–5 pm. $2/adults.
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