Pulaski, Tn to Sulphur Trestle, Al

[richard]

For those of you who enjoy getting off the beaten path then this trek is just what the Dr. ordered. Pulaski is a very nice city with a lot of history. Union Cavalry spent a lot of time in the area chasing Forrest, Roddy and Wheeler away from the railroad north and south of the city. Fort Hill, which is the home of a large water storage tank and a radio station, holds a commanding view of the valley 600 feet below and to the north and south aproaches of the town. Today the railroad south of town has been closed and much of it is blocked and can not be accessed.

Futhur down in Alabama at Elkmont, you will find a very small town with a great big heart. The main point of intrest is the railroad. The small town just reopened the town railroad station which contains a senior center and the town library. The train station is also where you can park your car and take a short walk in the direction of Athens to the site of Sulphur Branch Trestle.

The walk down the old right of way is very easy. The site of the Battle is well marked with a plaque that shows where the fort and block houses were located. The actural site of the fort is at the very top of the hill just east of the railroad bed. A home now covers where the fort was located. The trestle had been replaced some years ago by a fill but in ones minds eye you can still see it standing some seventy feet from the valley below and about 800 feet long.

When you view the plaque marking the site you can see why General Forrest took so long to capture the fort. The small hills to the east and north east of the fort presented no easy task for Morton's artillary to reach there positions.

After your walking tour of the town, you may wish to eat. There is a small eatery just across the street from the station or you may wish to head west from the town. At the cross road you will find Carter's Ole Cotton Gin. The serve chicken stew, BBQ, Catfish, and the best hushpuppies in the area. Be prepaird however, if you enjoy a sweet, smoky bbq sauce, you wont find it. The sauce is vinegar based in the area.

My wife and I spent a lot of time in the Pulaski Library and the wonderful people bent over backwards to help.

[scone]

Richard did you have time to visit the site where young Sam Davis was hung?

regards, Steven

[larry_cockerham]

One of my Union ancestors, gg grandpa Cockerham in fact, recuperated from his broken ribs suffered at Tullahoma very near the Sam Davis memorial. GG Grandpa was there about six months after Davis. The Giles College building near the big cemetery at the crest of the hill was used as a hospital. Today that is a recreation building site with a small pool overlooking Sam Davis Park along the creekside below.

[EricJacobson]

As far as Pulaski goes, let's not forget that both Gen. John Adams and Gen. John C. Brown are buried in Maplewood Cemetery. Both are very near one another, Brown's burial marked by a substantial life sized monument and Adams simply by a plate on the ground.

[richard]

I must mention that if you ever visit Pulaski, it is well worth the short trip southwest on highway 11 toward Anthony's hill. Then following the highway across Minors Hill you will suddenly come upon a wonderful valley and a new highway bridge at the base of the hill. If you are not careful, you may miss the historic marker at the bridge. It states that just a short distance west of its location is the site of the December 26th action with Forrest and Wilson's Cavalry. That site is more than likely a few miles west of the highway bridge near the town of Appleton.

The drive back to Athens, Al is also a very pleasent one taking the back roads through hills and valleys, and fields of cotton, corn, and hay. Athens provides one with all the comforts of home and many great places to eat.

Most of all, the short side trips off of Interstate 65 are well worth the time.