War Between the States

Tennessee Civil War Trail
In 2008, historic Blountville, Tennessee became the second site in the State of Tennessee to become an official part of the Tennessee Civil War Trails. See below for more information about the Battle of Blountville and historic Sullivan County.

The war in Sullivan County
East Tennessee became a battleground for the Northern and Southern forces. The railroad running through this section was the chief means of communication, travel and supply for the South. For this reason, the bridges, telegraph lines and tracks had to be protected; they were in possession of the Confederate forces for nearly three years of the war, but when Burnside was assigned to the command in East Tennessee, reaching Knoxville, September 3, 1863, he mapped out an agressive campaign to gain control of the railroad.

The Battle of Blountville took place on September 22, 1863. Confederate forces numbered 1,257 men, while there were double that number on the Federal side. The 4-hour siege began at noon when Union Col. John W. Foster attacked and shelled the town, setting fire to the Courthouse, initiating a flanking movement and compelling the Confederate forces to withdraw. Confederate men, women and children retreated through Brown's meadows, resulting in a Union victory.

For a complete account of the Sullivan War in Sullivan County, please visit the Archives and History Center within the Sullivan County Department of Archives and Tourism.

Muster Roll of Captain J. W. Bachman's Co. G, 60th TN Regiment Volunteers
The Sullivan County Department of Archives and Tourism is blessed with a rare find... that of the muster roll of Captain J. W. Bachman's Co. G., 60th TN Reg. Volunteers. This roll is dated March 1, 1863 to April 30, 1863, and many Sullivan Countians are listed as present, dead or missing.

The unit was organized October 1, 1862 and mustered into Confederate service on November 7, 1862. Most of the men were captured at Vicksburg and served the remainder of the war in Vaughn's Brigade in East Tennessee and Western Virginia.

Click the image below to view a closeup of the roster.