East Tennessee

[MikeyB]

East TN was a focus for Lincoln, largely I think political (and also perhaps, sympathy) given the pro-Union sentiments of the population.

It took a while for the Union to really focus on this and fulfill Lincoln's wishes.

Strategically, why couldn't East Tennessee be used as a springboard into Virginia from the West and perhaps open up another front? Was this considered? Was it too difficult to supply? Isn't there a good railroad through the valley region? Or was it just lack of resources?

If there is strategic value from getting into Virginia from the West, why wouldn't this make East Tennessee that much more of a priority?

 

[DaveBrt]

East TN was a focus for Lincoln, largely I think political (and also perhaps, sympathy) given the pro-Union sentiments of the population.

It took a while for the Union to really focus on this and fulfill Lincoln's wishes.

Strategically, why couldn't East Tennessee be used as a springboard into Virginia from the West and perhaps open up another front? Was this considered? Was it too difficult to supply? Isn't there a good railroad through the valley region? Or was it just lack of resources?

If there is strategic value from getting into Virginia from the West, why wouldn't this make East Tennessee that much more of a priority?

How are you going to supply your East Tennessee Union troops?

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

Was it too difficult to supply? Isn't there a good railroad through the valley region?

McClellan & Sherman deemed it too risky for an invading army to move across the mountains from Kentucky. They convinced Lincoln to concentrate on Nashville, the 1st Confederate State Capital to fall.

Isn't there a good railroad through the valley region?

Under Confederate control in 1861.

 

[NedBaldwin]

East TN was a focus for Lincoln, largely I think political (and also perhaps, sympathy) given the pro-Union sentiments of the population.

It took a while for the Union to really focus on this and fulfill Lincoln's wishes.

Strategically, why couldn't East Tennessee be used as a springboard into Virginia from the West and perhaps open up another front? Was this considered? Was it too difficult to supply? Isn't there a good railroad through the valley region? Or was it just lack of resources?

If there is strategic value from getting into Virginia from the West, why wouldn't this make East Tennessee that much more of a priority?

I believe it was considered when high command was discussing options in the late 63/early 64 timeframe but Atlanta was seen as the higher priority in the west. Also note that Knoxville to Lynchburg 9the first place of major significance) is like 250 miles as the crow flies whereas Chattanooga to Atlanta is less than 100.

 

[MikeyB]

I believe it was considered when high command was discussing options in the late 63/early 64 timeframe but Atlanta was seen as the higher priority in the west. Also note that Knoxville to Lynchburg 9the first place of major significance) is like 250 miles as the crow flies whereas Chattanooga to Atlanta is less than 100.

So at this point in the war, is it fair to say Atlanta was viewed as Richmond's equal from a strategic priority perspective?

 

[richard]

I would say so. In light of the number of ammunition plants and ironworks in Georgia and Alabama as well as rail transportation. There were no rail lines through the east Kentucky mountains. Getting from Lexington south was not an easy task.

 

[C. Cash]

Alot of Conf. Cav. could act continually upon that long line from both the Western and Eastern theatres. Much of the Cav. hailed from East TN. Might just become more of a Confederate resupply line if you know what I mean. As mentioned, controlling Atlanta was seen as much more valuable a move. Multiple rail lines providing critical food and weapons/munitions. Focusing on Atlanta also drew Critical conf. man power from Western TN/MS.

 

[USS ALASKA]

https://www.outlookmaps.com/map-images/kentucky-topographic-map.jpg

http://www.outlookmaps.com/map-images/tennessee-topographic-map.jpg

Sirs, kinda rough terrain out that way...

Cheers,
USS ALASKA

 

[USS ALASKA]

Isn't there a good railroad through the valley region?

Sirs, in this time frame, that area was a railroad dead zone...

https://railroads.unl.edu/views/sources/US%201861.jpg

Cheers,
USS ALASKA

 

[TNBandit]

View attachment 434200

https://www.outlookmaps.com/map-images/kentucky-topographic-map.jpg

View attachment 434201

http://www.outlookmaps.com/map-images/tennessee-topographic-map.jpg

Sirs, kinda rough terrain out that way...

Cheers,
USS ALASKA

Yes sir. I live in East Tennessee and there is very little flat land

 

[uaskme]

I believe it was considered when high command was discussing options in the late 63/early 64 timeframe but Atlanta was seen as the higher priority in the west. Also note that Knoxville to Lynchburg 9the first place of major significance) is like 250 miles as the crow flies whereas Chattanooga to Atlanta is less than 100.

No RR from Knoxville to Lynchburg. No RR from Nashville to Knoxville. Communications route was a 150 mile long poor wagon road. Federals proposed building a RR but it would of been a Hell of a project.

Grant actually proposed going from Knoxville to NC by-the way of the French Broad River. Interstate 40 goes that way today. He could of cut VA off from the South. Only problem, no RR.

 

[NedBaldwin]

No RR from Knoxville to Lynchburg.

There was a RR from Knoxville to Lynchburg.
You can see it in the map two posts above yours
RR also connected Knoxville and Chattanooga

 

[USS ALASKA]

Sirs, perhaps a better map with metropolitan centers labeled...sorry, my bad...

https://www.nps.gov/chat/learn/education/classrooms/the-atlanta-campaign-lp.htm

Cheers,
USS ALASKA

 

[uaskme]

There was a RR from Knoxville to Lynchburg.
You can see it in the map two posts above yours
RR also connected Knoxville and Chattanooga

Chattanooga is 110 miles from Knoxville. Had to go South then NE.

Federals never thought East TN was that important Militarily. Lincoln did politically. He had family in Greenville. Northern Unionist had a connection with upper East TN. Brownlow was sheltered up in Yankeedom for an extended period of time. He convinced Yankeedom that Knoxville and E TN were unconditional Unionist. Not entirely true but much of the Yankee population believed it.

 

[NedBaldwin]

... Had to go South then NE.

what are you even talking about?
Do you acknowledge that there was a railroad?

 

[uaskme]

what are you even talking about?
Do you acknowledge that there was a railroad?

Obviously you haven't studied it. No wonder you don't know what I'm talking about. Sorry to confuse you?

 

[NedBaldwin]

Obviously you haven't studied it. No wonder you don't know what I'm talking about. Sorry to confuse you?

Huh? You are the one who denied that there was a railroad when there actually was one. And you can't even just admit to being wrong. So which if us hasn't studied it?

 

[USS ALASKA]

University of New Mexico
UNM Digital Repository
History ETDs
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
1951

The Union Army and the Knoxville Region of East Tennessee 1861-1865
Caryl L. Stovell

This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Electronic Theses and Dissertations at UNM Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in History ETDs by an authorized administrator of UNM Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected].

Abstract
During the Civil War years East Tennessee became politically and strategically important. It was a section strong in Unionism and natural defenses. Under Confederate control life was difficult for those loyal to the Union, and they pled for liberation. But East Tennessee was difficult to enter because of the mountains which surround it. Far-sighted generals saw that an occupying army would have to surmount the problems or supply. Even when the section was freed from Confederate rule, the civilians were no better off as far as peace and the comforts of life were concerned. The opposing armies, ill-clad and ill-fed, vied for the territory and stripped the land of all food supplies. Nevertheless, a majority of the East Tennesseans remained stubbornly loyal to the Union, and it was they who took the lead in returning the state to the Union.

https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1209&context=hist_etds

File to large to post, please see above link.

Cheers,
USS ALASKA

 

[USS ALASKA]

Sirs, a study of the transportation routes in East Tennessee. Water borne begins on page 69 of the pdf, and Rail on page 79. And if you are into serious Geography and Geology study, (as it was understood in 1932), ...oh boy

University of Tennessee, Knoxville
TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange
Masters Theses
Graduate School
8-1932

The Effect of Physiography on the Trade Routes of East Tennessee
George C. Martin
University of Tennessee - Knoxville

This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. For more information, please contact [email protected].

Abstract
The parallelism of the topographic forms of East Tennessee is classic in the world. The influence of topography on the trade routes of the region is evident from a map of roads or railroads. This paper is an attempt to show the adjustment of trade routes to physiographic forms in East Tennessee.

https://trace.tennessee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2827&context=utk_gradthes

File too large to post, please see above link.

Cheers,
USS ALASKA