Johnson County Tenn.

[Mountain Rebel]

During the summer and fall of 61 Confederate General Zollicoffer was stretched to the limit attempting to secure the border and maintain the peace. He advised the union people that while they had the right to their political opinions, the debate was over and they must abide by the will of the majority. He took a concillatory tone with the unionists saying they would not be molested so long as they remained peacefully at home.

The unionists ignored his plea and continued to plot the destruction of the ET and Virginia RR which was a vital transportation link for the Confederacy. On the night of Nov. 8, 1861 the unionist struck their blow. Several railroad bridges were burned including the one at Zollicoffer (Bluff City) and telegraph lines were cut. The next day 1000-1500 armed unionists assembled in Carter county (and other places) and threatened to overwhelm the Confederate forces nearby.

The Confederates were thrown into a panic and began making desperate calls for reinforcements to secure East Tenn. Both sides believed an invasion by Sherman's Federal army was imminent.

Secessionists wrote Pres. Davis and other officials describing the situation. On Nov. 12 A. G. Graham
wrote: "In Carter and Johnson counties , northeast of this, the union strength is not only as formidable but it is as violent as that of any of the northwestern counties of Virginia. Had they the power not a secessionist would live in the region. The hostile element in these counties is so strong that I give it as my opinion that it will not abate or be conciliated." He went to say that the only way to secure peace in the region would be to evict all Union people from the state. Madison T. Peoples wrote on Nov. 20: "...Even now our most quite and law abiding citizens have been shot down in cold blood from behind coverts by the tories, and proof can be made that they have been tampering with the slaves. ...The Southern men have all been disarmed and the Tories have apparently disbanded in most of the counties , but really gone home to await the approach of an invading army. If we are invaded every Southern man will be taken prisoner or else be murdered in the night time.'

Confederate patience was at an end and leniency would no longer be shown. The unionists were now considered to be nothing but traitors and criminals. Col. Danville Ledbetter with additional troops was sent to East Tenn to put down the rebellion and repair the railroad. Ledbetter wasted no time. He broke up the unionist camps and began arresting anyone suspected of involvement in the insurrection Several bridge burners were tried and hung. Unionist homes were searched and ransacked. All the unionist men who were able began hiding out in the mountains or left the area. But soon, hundreds had been arrested and sent to Knoxville for trial. Many wound up in prison at Tuscaloosa. The courts were overflowing with home yankees and were overwhelmed with cases.

 

[TnFed]

ILLINOIS
13TH CAVALRY
(Three Years)

Thirteenth Cavalry.-Col., Joseph W. Bell; Lieut.-Col., Theobald Hartman; Majs., Latham Lippert, Charles A. Bell. This regiment was organized at Camp Douglas in Dec., 1861. It moved to Benton barracks Mo., where it was armed and equipped, then with Gen. Curtis through Arkansas, taking part in the skirmishes of the campaign to Helena. It returned to Missouri in the fall of 1862, and was engaged with Gen. Davidson in the campaign of southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas, driving Marmaduke and his command from the state. In July, 1863, it moved with Gen. Davidson's cavalry division into Arkansas taking part in the battles of Brownsville, Bayou Meto and Austin in August, and again at Bayou Meto in September. It was the first regiment to enter Little Rock on its capture and was engaged in the pursuit of Price to Red river. In the spring of 1864, it accompanied Gen. Steele in the expedition to Camden, taking prominent parts in the actions at Arkadelphia, Okolona, Little Missouri river, Prairie d'Ane, Camden and Jenkins' ferry. After returning to Little Rock it was engaged in many raids and scouts and in skirmishing with the forces of Shelby and Marmaduke, defeating them at Clarendon and Pine Bluff. The remainder of its term of service was devoted to scouting and picketing. It was mustered out on Aug. 31, 1865, receiving its final pay and discharge at Springfield, Ill., Sept. 13. Source: The Union Army, vol. 3​

Was researching Captain Joseph C. Gray this morning. I knew he was some kin to you but had never noticed that you and his mom have the same last name. He was an honorable man and a good officer. A shame his killing was celebrated the way it was. One thing about it, his wife was a typical spunky mountain woman.

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

ILLINOIS
13TH CAVALRY
(Three Years)

Thirteenth Cavalry.-Col., Joseph W. Bell; Lieut.-Col., Theobald Hartman; Majs., Latham Lippert, Charles A. Bell. This regiment was organized at Camp Douglas in Dec., 1861. It moved to Benton barracks Mo., where it was armed and equipped, then with Gen. Curtis through Arkansas, taking part in the skirmishes of the campaign to Helena. It returned to Missouri in the fall of 1862, and was engaged with Gen. Davidson in the campaign of southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas, driving Marmaduke and his command from the state. In July, 1863, it moved with Gen. Davidson's cavalry division into Arkansas taking part in the battles of Brownsville, Bayou Meto and Austin in August, and again at Bayou Meto in September. It was the first regiment to enter Little Rock on its capture and was engaged in the pursuit of Price to Red river. In the spring of 1864, it accompanied Gen. Steele in the expedition to Camden, taking prominent parts in the actions at Arkadelphia, Okolona, Little Missouri river, Prairie d'Ane, Camden and Jenkins' ferry. After returning to Little Rock it was engaged in many raids and scouts and in skirmishing with the forces of Shelby and Marmaduke, defeating them at Clarendon and Pine Bluff. The remainder of its term of service was devoted to scouting and picketing. It was mustered out on Aug. 31, 1865, receiving its final pay and discharge at Springfield, Ill., Sept. 13. Source: The Union Army, vol. 3​

Thanks, Major. You are most thoughtful. I did have most of that regimental history. My ancestor, Corporal Thomas J. Rich (my great grandfather) fought mostly in small skirmishes and did a lot of routine patrols to various plantations and small towns. By the way, my age, 76, corresponds with yours.

 

[TnFed]

I've read Trotter's book. Been a spell. Did Baker do research on Trotter's book or write one? Googled Robert Baker and Christian Books are all that came up.

thought you might like this.

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

thought you might like this.

thought you might like this.

From my hometown newspaper, June 29, 1972. An Article titled, "He Always Got His Man"

Devil John Wright Part 1

Clipping found in Kingsport Times published in Kingsport, Tennessee on 6/29/1972. Devil John Wright Part 1

www.newspapers.com

Bad John Wright Part 2

Clipping found in Kingsport Times published in Kingsport, Tennessee on 6/29/1972. Bad John Wright Part 2

www.newspapers.com

Bad John Wright Part 3

Clipping found in Kingsport Times published in Kingsport, Tennessee on 6/29/1972. Bad John Wright Part 3

www.newspapers.com

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

Was researching Captain Joseph C. Gray this morning. I knew he was some kin to you but had never noticed that you and his mom have the same last name. He was an honorable man and a good officer. A shame his killing was celebrated the way it was. One thing about it, his wife was a typical spunky mountain woman.

His mother, Susannah Land Gray was a 5 x 1st cousin. His brother, Rufus (Rafe) Gray served under him in the 3rd MTD.

 

[TnFed]

I didn't know that about Rufus. He was a corporal in Company H. Captain Gray must have been unarmed when JJ Kirkland's guerrillas killed him. What was any man doing unarmed at that time in East TN beats me. Gray like many in the 3rd , Gray was a loyal unionist. That said...and you may agree
...I do not know of any unit on either side that had more reb deserters, more union deserters and outright desperados than the 3rd. However full pension rights for the most limited service was probably a great inducement in the mountains.

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

I didn't know that about Rufus. He was a corporal in Company H. Captain Gray must have been unarmed when JJ Kirkland's guerrillas killed him. What was any man doing unarmed at that time in East TN beats me. Gray like many in the 3rd , Gray was a loyal unionist. That said...and you may agree
...I do not know of any unit on either side that had more reb deserters, more union deserters and outright desperados than the 3rd. However full pension rights for the most limited service was probably a great inducement in the mountains.

I believe it was in the fall of 65, October I think when the Kirlands killed him at home for his boots. It was said the Kirkland "female companions" danced around their campfire that night wearing Gray's boots. "Bushwhacker" John Kirkland filed for a Confederate pension, leaving most questions blank.

 

[TnFed]

I believe it was in the fall of 65, October I think when the Kirlands killed him at home for his boots. It was said the Kirkland "female companions" danced around their campfire that night wearing Gray's boots. "Bushwhacker" John Kirkland filed for a Confederate pension, leaving most questions blank.

Yeah, Kirkland had family and in-laws in the 3rd TN Mounted Infantry USA. While he and some other family was in the 3rd TN Mounted Infantry CSA and in fact there were those in both unit. Making research extremely difficult. Of course easier for us from that mountain background to work through...lol

 

[limestone1863]

I believe it was in the fall of 65, October I think when the Kirlands killed him at home for his boots. It was said the Kirkland "female companions" danced around their campfire that night wearing Gray's boots. "Bushwhacker" John Kirkland filed for a Confederate pension, leaving most questions blank.

Have done a lot of research on CW "Upper" East Tennessee, but thank you for filling in gaps. Keep it up

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

Yeah, Kirkland had family and in-laws in the 3rd TN Mounted Infantry USA. While he and some other family was in the 3rd TN Mounted Infantry CSA and in fact there were those in both unit. Making research extremely difficult. Of course easier for us from that mountain background to work through...lol

Vaughn's 3rd Tennessee was the first Confederate unit in action. Overran a Union battery at 1st Manassas. Middle and West Tennessee regiments were first recruited and organized, but the East Tennessee Rebs were the first on the battlefield.

 

[TnFed]

I believe it was in the fall of 65, October I think when the Kirlands killed him at home for his boots. It was said the Kirkland "female companions" danced around their campfire that night wearing Gray's boots. "Bushwhacker" John Kirkland filed for a Confederate pension, leaving most questions blank.

Many years after the war, Capt Gray's widow, Rachel McCall Gray, was summoned to the deathbed of the bushwhacker who actually killed her husband. Rachel was asked to come to the home of the man who killed her husband in 1865, because he was then dying. As a last request, he wanted Rachel to visit in order to tell her he was sorry for killing her husband. Indeed, Rachel decided to go see him. When she arrived at his home and went to his bedside, the man said he was very sorry for killing her husband during the war and asked her to forgive him before he died. Rachel bent over him, looked right in his face, and "Dammed his soul to hell." Then, she raised up; and saying nothing more, she left his house and went home. She died years later, without ever forgiving him.

 

[Mountain Rebel]

Winter and early spring 1862 an uneasy peace existed in East Tenn. The unionist rebellion had been put down and the disaffected tories were allowed to live in peace as long as they obeyed the law and caused no further trouble. The "peace" would be short lived.

During 1861 Southern men volunteered in droves to repel the yankee invader. But, when people realized the war would not be over in 90 days, the enthusiasm of some began to wane. The Confederacy needed men, lots of them. On April 16, 1862 the Confederate Congress passed the Conscription Act. which required all white males 18-35 years of age, unless exempt, to enlist in the army. When the law was passed military aged males were given a grace period in which to volunteer. If they refused to enlist they were considered criminals subject to arrest.

Conscript enrolling officers were at once appointed, and supported by the military, began the hunt for conscripts. Several prominent Southern men began raising companies and forming regiments; encouraging the men to volunteer rather than be drafted. The unionists were given another choice. They could qualify for an exemption by providing an essential service to the military. In Carter county N. G. Taylor and Judge Turley formed a company and built two steel and iron plants; one at O Brians Old Forge and one on Stoney Creek. A large number of men worked at these plants to avoid active service. Similar iron plants were started in Johnson county.

Until this time, some of the unionists had managed to stay at home feigning allegiance to the South.
Others wanted no part of the war and just wanted to stay home and ride it out without taking a side. Now they had to make a decision. When the Conscription Act was passed many of them became reluctant rebels. If they had to serve, they preferred to do so in a local unit among friends, rather than be drafted with a bunch of strangers. Some of these men would later desert and either hide out in the mountains or join the Federal Army.

Still other die hard Unionists were determined never to serve in the detested rebel army. These men hid in the mountains, forming "companies" or gangs for mutual defense. Probably the majority attempted to make their way to the Union lines aided by Pilots or guides. Many were caught by the Confederate patrols, but thousands made the difficult trip successfully.

The worst group of "stay at homes" who infested the mountains formed gangs of marauders who subsisted by stealing and robbing. These criminals would rape or murder anyone who got in their way; and it mattered not which side you were on. They quickly became a terror to the local population.


During the summer and fall of 1862 two companies were enrolled in Johnson county for the Confederate army. Another company also formed...called the Johnson County Home Guard.

Daniel Ellis would later blame the Home Guard for everything from bad weather to poor gas mileage. He laid every "attrocity" solidly at their feet. In fact, most of these "acts" were committed by regular troops sent into the area to "break up gangs of bushwhackers". One reason these soldiers took a heavy handed approach was due to the fact that several Confederate enrolling officers had been murdered in cold blood by unionists. So let's take a look at what the Home Guard was.

The Home Guard was created by an act of the state government "for the purpose of arresting conscripts and deserters". The Home guard "could be called into actual service to repel invasion, or suppress insurrection, or to execute the laws of the state". When the enrolling officers came they were usually accompanied by a small company of regular Confederate troops. Since the Home Guard knew the area and who was a unionist; they were tasked with acting as guides during these operations. If they met armed resistance they were expected to fight alongside the soldiers.

Most Home Guard company's were made up of former Confederate soldiers who had been discharged due to wounds, militia officers, and men too old for the draft from the local community. Most of the officers were prominent local secessionists, county magistrates or Justices of the Peace. Each county was divided into districts with a unit formed in each. Most of the men in the Home guard knew each other and in many cases were related by blood or marriage. Those trying to evade conscription were often related or at least knew those who were attempting to enforce the law. Prior to the war they had been family, friends or neighbors. The same applied to deserters. Many of these men came home to take care of their families or were just tired of the war and wanted out. Others deserted to make their way to the Union lines to enlist.

Johnson county soon became infested with gangs of unionist bushwhackers and deserters who waged guerilla warfare against the Confederates. Some of these armed gangs roamed the countryside stealing livestock and raiding smokehouses. They would often rob known secessionists and in several cases committed murder. They were aided and abetted by an underground network of local unionists who provided them with information, food, shelter and supplies. There were numerous safe houses and many of the union people acted as spys, keeping a constant watch and lookout for Confederate troop movements. Old men, women and children were involved in this effort and suffered the consequences for it.

This activity could not be tolerated and the Home Guard was given the mission to put a stop to it. The Guard would watch unionist homes waiting on a deserter or bushwhacker to show up. They searched unionist homes and barns and patrolled the area attempting to catch bushwhackers and protect the loyal citizens from the roving gangs.

 

[Mountain Rebel]

The conscript enrolling officers were busy rounding up men during the summer and fall of 1862. In Carter county several of them were murdered by unionists. This caused the Confederate troops stationed in the area to take a hard line.

In Johnson county the enrolling officers were:

1st Civil District-Laurel Bloomery Lewis Vinable (Venerble?) enrolled 72 men
2nd Civil District-Taylorsville (Mountain City) M. K. Lemilly? enrolled 107
3rd Civil District James H Mast enrolled 60
4th Civil District unknown enrolled 103
5th Civil District William McQueen enrolled 56
6th Civil District R. A Lamilly? enrolled 79
7th Civil District John Murphy enrolled 23
8th Civil District-Shady Washington Cole enrolled 56
9th Civil District E. D. Musgrove enrolled 70
10th Civil District A. H. Baker enrolled 45

A total of 683 men were mustered in during late Oct / early Nov. 1862. It's not known if the enrolling officers were Confederate officers or Home Guard members. I suspect they were Home Guard.

 

[Mountain Rebel]

Looking at the 1860 census, the majority if not all of the enrolling officers were local men. After the war in 1868 many of them filed claims with the government for supplies they had provided to the Confederates.

The enrolling officers weren't they only ones who were busy. Early on several men made their way to other counties and joined the Confederate military. They included:

Capt. David Tenn. Neff who joined Co. G Thomas Legion and later transferred to the 1st TN Cav. in Nov. 1862.

2nd. Lt. James Knox Polk Neff Co. H 1st TN Cav. (He was later murdered on 4 21 1865 by "two Lincolnites" after he had returned home to Johnson county.

Barton Roby Brown was a farmer and stock raiser who lived near Shouns Crossroads. Around May or June 1861 he traveled down the stage road to Boone NC in Watauga County where he enlisted in George N. Folks Watauga Rangers. This unit became Company D of the 1st NC Cav. Brown was elected Lt of the company and served at first Manassis. After hard fighting in Virginia the regiment was transferred to NC. In 1862 Brown returned to Johnson County to raise a company for the new cavalry battn. being organized by Capt G. N. Folk. This Johnson county cavalry company was organized at Taylorsville on Sept. 7, 1862. Brown was elected Capt. Muster rolls show 93 men.

Dr. Robert C. Rhea from Shouns Crossroads became the Contract Surgeon for Folks Battn.

By Nov. 1862, Virginian James S Folk had organized another Johnson county artillery company
composed of 53 men from that county and Virginia.

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

Looking at the 1860 census, the majority if not all of the enrolling officers were local men. After the war in 1868 many of them filed claims with the government for supplies they had provided to the Confederates.

The enrolling officers weren't they only ones who were busy. Early on several men made their way to other counties and joined the Confederate military. They included:

Capt. David Tenn. Neff who joined Co. G Thomas Legion and later transferred to the 1st TN Cav. in Nov. 1862.

2nd. Lt. James Knox Polk Neff Co. H 1st TN Cav. (He was later murdered on 4 21 1865 by "two Lincolnites" after he had returned home to Johnson county.

Barton Roby Brown was a farmer and stock raiser who lived near Shouns Crossroads. Around May or June 1861 he traveled down the stage road to Boone NC in Watauga County where he enlisted in George N. Folks Watauga Rangers. This unit became Company D of the 1st NC Cav. Brown was elected Lt of the company and served at first Manassis. After hard fighting in Virginia the regiment was transferred to NC. In 1862 Brown returned to Johnson County to raise a company for the new cavalry battn. being organized by Capt G. N. Folk. This Johnson county cavalry company was organized at Taylorsville on Sept. 7, 1862. Brown was elected Capt. Muster rolls show 93 men.

By Nov. 1862, Virginian James S Folk had organized another Johnson county artillery company
composed of 53 men from that county and Virginia.

Reluctant Rebs & "Homegrown Yanks": East Tennesseans in the Civil War | Regimental Histories

Some of the more mountainous counties/areas of East Tennessee were pretty Unionist but others near any rivers such as Knoxville (the largest city) were Confederate so even in rather pro-Union places there were some notable Confederates as this book details. Lot's of east Tennessee farmers in...

civilwartalk.com

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

5th Civil District William McQueen enrolled 56

I wonder if this is the same man.

William Franklin McQueen (1834-1918) - Find a...

William Franklin is the son of Elijah Elias McQueen & Susan Burns ~

www.findagrave.com

 

[Mountain Rebel]

Glenn, Another rabbit hole...my source claimed the Neffs were from Johnson county. I wonder if it was a typo or they were confused. Or maybe the family had moved from Johnson county to Jefferson.

I don't know about the McQueen. they were a large family, spread out over Johnson and Carter counties. The link you posted says William F. , but the photo says William M. ??? I've seen the name Elias before would have to go back and look it up.

 

[Mountain Rebel]

Ellis identifies several men as the leaders of the Johnson County rebels. Samuel McQueen, Greene Moore, B. O. Johnson, John K. Hughes, William Shoun, Jacob Wagoner and others. Scott and Angel add William Waugh to the list.

Greene Moore, commonly called Colonel, was born at Guilford N.C. on August 29, 1798. He moved to Johnson County about 1834 as did most of his family. He built the first house at what would later become the county seat. This was located on the main Stage road from Abbington VA to N.C. Here he kept a store and stage stop or hotel. When Johnson County was formed from Carter County in 1836, one or more sessions of the county court were held at his house. Greene was one of the commissioners who helped lay out the new county seat of Taylorsville (Mountain City). Moore became prominent in local politics and served as postmaster at one time. In 1860 he was serving as Clerk and Master of the Chancery Court and may have been the one who was threatened by unionists until he resigned and left the county until Confederate troops moved in to secure the area. He married Sarah Edna Shoun (4-22-1808-1886) who was the sister of William Shoun, Rachael Shoun Wagoner (wife of Hog Dave) and others. Sarah's sister Catherine married Greene's brother Rufus Moore. Greene's daughter, Loretta married John K. Hughes. By 1860 61 year old Greene Moore owned real property worth $11000 and had a personal wealth valued at $6000. Although he owned no slaves, he was an ardent secessionist. His youngest son, Martin, served in the Home Guard. In 1863 Martin saved a unionist scouter from hanging. It seems they knew each other and had been friends before the war. On November 10, 1864, Greene Moore was murdered by Alvin Taylor, a rebel deserter who had joined a "gang of robbers and murderers who infested the mountains toward the close of the war".

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

Jacob Wagoner

Jacob Fred Wagner (1831-1907) - Find a Grave...

We are told that Mr. Jacob Wagner, of Valle Crucis, is dangerously ill - in fact he is not expected to live. Watauga Democrat, February 14, 1907, Page 3

www.findagrave.com

His father, ( "Hog" Wagner) accompanied Thomas C. Land to Oregon after the war. (my 4 x removed 1st cousin).