USA > Tennessee > Bedford County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc, Vol.2 > Part 15
USA > Tennessee > Marshall County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc, Vol.2 > Part 15
USA > Tennessee > Wilson County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc, Vol.2 > Part 15
USA > Tennessee > Maury County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc, Vol.2 > Part 15
USA > Tennessee > Williamson County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc, Vol.2 > Part 15
USA > Tennessee > Rutherford County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc, Vol.2 > Part 15
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HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
ber, however, went on to Austin to find no employment and that their services were not needed. He returned home to pass through a very severe spell of sickness.
In 1842 he engaged in business with his uncle at Hernando, Miss. He became engaged in an affray with three brothers, Maleck, for espous- ing the cause of his uncle. He alone fought and defeated them, but his uncle was killed. J. K. Moore, a lawyer, was killed while riding in company with Gen. Forrest by a desperado named Dyson. Forrest's life was threatened, but his courage and revolver saved him. September 25, 1825, Gen. Forrest married Mary Ann Montgomery, a distant relative of him who fell at Quebec in 1775. In 1849 he met with financial reverses in Hernando, but instead of despairing he only redoubled his exertions. He came near losing his life in 1852 in the explosion of the steam-boat "Farmer" within a few miles of Galveston. In 1852 he moved to Mem- phis and began dealing in real estate; he also dealt largely in slaves. He was elected alderman of the city in 1857, and re-elected in 1859. By 1859 he had accumulated a good fortune, and in 1861 he had several large plantations, and raised his 1.000 bales of cotton. On the outbreak of the war he volunteered as a private in Capt. J. S. White's company, on June 14, 1861. In July Forrest was asked by Gov. Harris and Gen. Polk to recruit a regiment for the cavalry service. This he proceeded at once to do. On July 20 he went to Louisville, where he procured a partial outfit for his men, consisting of 500 Colt's revolvers, 100 saddles and other sup- / plies. The regiment was organized at Memphis, in October, 1861, by electing N. B. Forrest, lieutenant-colonel; D. C. Kelley, major; C. A. 'Schuyler, adjutant; Dr. S. M. Van Wick, surgeon, and J. P. Strong, sergeant-major. The regiment consisted in the aggregate of 650 men, organized into eight companies. The first fighting done by Col. Forrest was in Kentucky. His men attacked and defeated the gun-boat "Cones- toga" in the Cumberland River, near Canton, Ky. A superior force of the enemy was defeated at Sacramento by a brilliant charge. He joined the forces at Fort Donelson on the 12th. He contributed largely to what success there was connected with that unfortunate affair, and suc- - ceeded in bringing away his regiment with little loss. He displayed great ability here. He next covered the retreat from Nashville.
On the 6th and 7th of April he was present at the battle of Shiloh. Forrest, who was now colonel, contributed as much to the success of that battle as any other man. His regiment was the last to leave the field. In a charge near the close of that engagement he was wounded. From Pittsburg Landing to Corinth the regiment was engaged almost daily. Forrest made a brilliant dash and captured Murfreesboro, with a garrison
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HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
equal to his whole force. He captured pickets around Nashville and. took part in the campaign in Kentucky. He made a raid through West Tennessee, and returned in time to take part in the battle of Stone River. He was almost daily engaged in skirmishing in Middle and East Ten- nesse till the battle of Chickamauga, September 19 and 20, 1563. He was next sent to the Army of Northern Mississippi. He then entered West Tennessee with a few men, and in a short time had increased his force to about 3,500. Engagements were fought at Somerville, Tenn., De- cember 26; at Colliersville, December 27; at West Point, Miss., Febru- ary, 1864; at Paducah, Ky., March 25; at Fort Pillow, April 12; at Bol- ivar, May 2; at Tishomingo Creek, June 10; at Harrisburg. Miss., July 14; at Town Creek, July 15; at Oxford. Miss., in the early part of August; at Memphis, August 21, and in the raid through Middle Ten- nessee and the capture of Athens, Ala. In Hood's advance into Ten- nessee Forrest joined him at Florence, Ala. From the time of crossing the Tennessee to the recrossing of that stream in that disastrous can- paign his men were in thirteen engagements. Had Forrest's advice been. followed at Franklin, November 30, the fruits of that victory would have. been attained without its terrible cost.
To his skill in covering the retreat, and advice in its management, was the army saved from greater rout. After the retreat of Hood from Tennessee Forrest was engaged at Centerville, Ala., March 31, 1865, and at Ebenezer Church April 1. His forces were engaged in the defense of Selma, as a cover for Mobile. April 2 closed his military career, on the fall of Selma. Few men ever made so brilliant a military record in so short a time. Without book knowledge. he made a study of men, and took in the military situation of the country at a glance. His dash, un- tiring energy, industry and power of endurance were remarkable. He had the happy faculty of inspiring his men with confidence in himself as a leader. He seemed to grasp the most minute details of an army and its wants, and had a wonderful fertility of resource. He seldom if ever blundered, and never failed to extricate his men from the most perilous positions. It might be questioned whether Forrest could have succeeded so well with a large body of men, or in other words whether he had the capacity for maneuvering large bodies. To this it may be answered that he made no mistakes, whether commanding a battalion of a few hundred or a division of 5,000 men. His quick fiery temper suited him for a cavalry leader rather than for the leader of the more sluggish infantry columns. Had all other commanders been as successful as was Gen. Forrest the result would have been very different. He was made a briga- dier-general in 1862, a major-general in 1863 and a lieutenant-general
a
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HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
early in 1865. He laid aside his arms as quickly and quietly as he had taken them up. At the close of the war he returned to his home, accepted the situation, and did his best to heal the wounds left by the war. Before his death he became a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which faith he died.
Andrew Johnson, the seventeenth President of the United States, was born in Raleigh, N. C., December 29, 180S. His father, Jacob Johnson, who died in 1S12, was city constable, sexton of a church and porter of the State bank. Extreme poverty prevented Andrew from re- ceiving any education, and at the age of ten he was apprenticed to Mr. Selby, a tailor. In 1824, a short time before the expiration of his ap- prenticeship, having committed some little misdemeanor, he ran away and went to Laurens Court House, S. C. He obtained work as a journey- man and remained there until May, 1826, when he returned to Raleigh. During the following September, accompanied by his mother, he came to Tennessee and located at Greeneville, where in a short time he married.
Up to this time his education was limited to reading, but under his wife's tuition he learned to write and cipher. In 1828, taking an interest in politics, he organized a workingmen's party in opposition to the aris- tocratic element, which had before controlled the town of Greeneville. He was elected alderman, and two years later was made mayor. During this time a village debating society was formed, and he took a prominent part in its discussions, manifesting much of the ability which he after- ward displayed. In 1835 he offered himself as a candidate for a seat in the lower house of the General Assembly, and after a vigorous canvass . was elected. During the following session his opposition to the internal improvement bill temporarily lost him his popularity, and at the next election he was defeated. Succeeding events, however, proved his views to have been correct, and in 1839 he was returned to the Legislature. From this time forth he was almost continuously in public life. He was an elector for the State at large on the Van Buren ticket in 1840, and in 1841 was elected to the State Senate. Two years later he took his seat in Congress as representative from the First District of Tennessee, a position which he continued to hold by re-election for ten years. During this time he advocated the annexation of Texas, the war with Mexico and the tariff of 1846.
In 1853 he was elected governor of Tennessee over G. A. Henry, the Whig candidate, and again in 1855 over Meredith P. Gentry, after one of the most exciting campaigns ever witnessed. In December, 1857, he took his seat in the United States Senate, to which he had been elected by the Legislature of Tennessee. He soon distinguished himself as the
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HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
advocate of the homestead law, which was vetoed by President Buchanan .. Although he usually voted with the Southern members on the slavery question, he was not strongly in sympathy with them. In the canvass of 1860 he supported Breckinridge and Lane, but when secession was openly proposed he opposed it with all of his ability. This caused many of his. former adherents to denounce him as a traitor to his State and party, and in almost every city in the State he was burned in effigy. March 4, 1862, he was nominated military governor of Tennessee by President Lincoln, and on the 12th of the same month he arrived in Nashville. He con- tinued as military governor until March, 1865, when he was succeeded. by William G. Brownlow.
On June 7, 1864, the Republican Convention at Baltimore nominated him for the vice-presidency, and on the 4th of the March following he was inaugurated. Upon the assassination of President Lincoln he im- mediately took the oath of office and entered upon his duties as Presi- dent. From his public utterances it had been inferred that he would treat the Southern leaders with great severity, but his course was quite the reverse, and then began the difficulty between himself and Congress which ended in his impeachment trial. After a long contest he was finally acquitted, on a vote of thirty-five for conviction to nineteen for acquittal.
At the Democratic Convention of 1868 he was a candidate for nomi-' nation for the Presidency, but received little support. In March, 1869, ' he returned to his home at Greeneville, Tenn., and the next year be- came a candidate for the United States Senate. He lacked two votes of an election. In 1872 he was a candidate for congressman at large, but dividing the vote of his party with B. F. Cheatham was defeated by Horace Maynard. In January, 1875, he was elected to the United States Senate for the full term of six years, and at the extra session in March, of that year, took his seat. He died suddenly of paralysis on July 31, 1875, at the residence of his daughter in Carter County, Tenn. Mr. John- son was essentially combative in his temperament, and was rather im- patient of opposition. That he had the courage of his convictions is. evident from his course at the beginning of the war, when for a South- ern Democrat to champion the cause of the Union was to sacrifice both friends and reputation. He cannot be said to have enjoyed, to any great degree, the personal good-will and esteem of his fellow-citizens, but he never failed to inspire their confidence and respect. He possessed. no personal magnetism, wit nor brilliancy, and his countenance usually wore an expression bordering on sadness.
The following by one of his colleagues in Congress is a fitting tribute
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747
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
to his character: "If I were to write the epitaph of Andrew Johnson. I would inscribe on the stone which shall mark his last resting place, " Here lies the man who was in the public service for forty years, who never tried to deceive his countrymen, and died as he lived, an honest man-' the noblest work of God."""
Gen. Felix Kirk Zollicoffer was born in Maury County, Tenn., May 17, 1812, and. was the son of John J. and Martha (Kirk ) Zollicoffer. The father was a native of North Carolina. He was descended from an il- lustrious Swiss family, which included several of the most distinguished military men, divines and scholars of that nation. Several centuries ago three Zollicoffer brothers were granted a patent of nobility on account of distinguished service rendered to the Government, and from them de- scended the Zollicoffers of Switzerland and of America. The latter branch of the family immigrated to this country probably near the close of the seventeenth century.
Gen. Zollicoffer, after having received such an education as the schools of his native county afforded, learned the printer's trade, and at the age of seventeen, in company with two other young men, began the publication of a paper at Paris, Tenn. Their enterprise proving a fail- ure young Zollicoffer went to Knoxville, where he found employment and - remained until 1834, when he removed to Huntsville, Ala. He was em- ployed at that place in the office of the Southern Mercury for a short time, after which he returned to Maury County and located at Columbia, taking charge of the Observer. On September 24, 1835, he was united in marriage with Louisa P. Gordon, of Hickman County, a daughter of the brave Indian scout, Col. John Gordon. The next year he volunteered as a soldier, and served with the Tennessee troops during the Seminole war. In the early part of 1837 he returned and resumed his connection with the Observer, of which he continued the editor until after the campaign of 1840, strongly opposing the election of Mr. Van Buren. As editor of the Nashville Banner, he entered upon his duties January 3, 1842, and at once made a decided impression. During the gubernatorial campaign of the following year he contributed much to the election of James C. Jones over James K. Polk. For some time he had been a sufferer from an aneurism of the aorta, that daily threatened his life, and after the elec- tion he retired from the editorial chair. On the 1st of November follow- ing he was elected by the Legislature comptroller of the State, a position he continued to hold by re-election until 1849. In August of that year he was chosen to represent Davidson County in the State Senate, and during the session made himself one of the leaders of that body.
' In January, 1851, he again connected himself with the Banner.
*
748
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
He succeeded in inducing Gen. William B. Campbell to accept the nomination for governor, and the brilliant victory which was secured was due more largely to his efforts than to those of any other man. The result of this canvass added greatly to the influence of Gen. Zollicoffer.
The next year occurred the contest for the Presidency between Gens. Scott and Pierce. Gen. Zollicoffer had favored the nomination of Mil- lard Fillmore, and attended the National Convention at Baltimore to advocate it, but when Gen. Scott was chosen as the leader of the Whigs he supported him with his accustomed vigor and ability, and, although the candidate was decidedly unpopular with the Whig party, Tennessee was brought to his support.
On April 20, 1853, having received the Whig nomination for Con- gress in his district, he severed, for the last time, his connection with the press. He was elected after a brilliant canvass and served for three suc- cessive terms. He then voluntarily retired to private life. During the early part of 1861 Gen. Zollicoffer did all in his power to prevent the dissolution of the Union, and was a member of the Peace Conference at Washington, but after the call for troops by President Lincoln he es- poused the cause of the South and advocated secession. Upon the organ- ization of the State military Gov. Harris called him to his aid, and com- missioned him brigadier-general. He was placed in command of the forces in East Tennessee, where, during the fall of 1861, he gathered an army of about 4,000 men and took part at Cumberland Ford. Opposed to him were about double that number of troops under Gen. Thomas. On Jan- uary 19, 1862, deceived as to the strength and position of the enemy he unfortunately ordered an attack, and during the engagement was killed. Various accounts of the death of Gen. Zollicoffer have been published, but the most authentic is about as follows:
Gen. Zollicoffer while inspecting his lines found himself between a Mississippi regiment and the Fourth Kentucky Federal Regiment under 'Col. Fry, who was about to lead them in a charge upon the Confederate lines. Gen. Zollicoffer thinking the latter regiment a part of his own command, accompanied by his aid, rode up to Col. Fry and said: "You are not going to fight your friends, are you? These men" (pointing to the Mississippi regiment), "are all your friends." In the meantime Zollicoffer's aid, perceiving their mistake, fired at Col. Fry, killing his horse. Col. Fry sprang to his feet and fired at Gen. Zollicoffer, killing hiim instantly. The troops thus deprived of their trusted leader retreated in confusion. Gen. Zollicoffer left a family of six daughters, five of whom are still living. Mrs. Zollicoffer died in 1857.
749
MAURY COUNTY.
MAURY COUNTY.
A SUPERFICIAL view of the county would present the picture of a section of a river valley, running almost due east and west, with the dip to the west, and fringed to the north and south by smaller valleys which furrow the sides of irregular ranges of knobs and hills which lie along the northern and southern boundaries. To the west these bills broaden out into the uplands known as the "Barrens," forming a part of the Highland Rim. The bed of this valley is occupied by Duck River, which flows through the whole extent of the county, dividing it almost equally. The river drains the entire county, as all the other streams flow into it. The river is not navigable through the whole extent of the county. The river was much used formerly for flat-boats and barges. It is still much used in floating out rafts during high water. The great value of Duck River is in its ex- cellent water-power, which drives the numerous grist and saw-mills that line its banks. The county is well drained. In several creeks in the western part of the county are some beautiful waterfalls. On the northwest and south the rim which borders the county is slashed by narrow and beautiful valleys of extreme richness; the remaining portion of the county is of a gently rolling surface, stretching out toward the west and south of the river into almost a plain-like smoothness.
Except the small portion around the northern, western and southern edges, invaded by the Highland Rim, the entire county is of limestone formation. It is by no means of one uniform variety, nor is the soil the same over the county. The soil generally is dark and friable, and exceedingly rich. The subsoil is generally a stiff, dark-colored clay, which weathers rapidly into a rich soil. But the characteristic of the county is the cedar timber, which abounds in some places so thickly as to exclude all undergrowth and to shut out every ray of the sun as effectually as the darkest clouds of winter. In "the cedars" the rock comes to the surface. The soil is admirably suited to wheat and grasses, and peach trees do finely in it.
The original settlers in Zion Church neighborhood came from Williamsburg District, S. C. They came in a kind of colony, led by Squire John Dickey, who brought about twenty families with him. A portion of these arrived in 1807, and others in 1808. Five thousand acres of land were purchased of the Gen. Greene Survey, at $3 per acre. Around this as a nucleus clustered the little colony. Among the settlers were Squire Dickey, Moses Frierson, James Blakeley, William Frierson, Eli Frierson, James Armstrong. Thomas Stephenson, Nathaniel Stephenson, "Old Davy" Mathews, Samuel Witherspoon, John Stephenson, James Frierson, P. Fulton, Alexander Dobbins, Moses Freeman, the Flem- mings and Mayes. Mr. J. S. Mayes, who is four score and ten, and still vigorous, lives in - the Mount Zion neighborhood, and was one of the original settlers, and has a very distinct recollection of the first settlement. Like the Pilgrim Fathers the first thing they did on their arrival was the erection of a church. A place was selected, as near as could be judged, in the center of the purchase for the church site, which proved almost the exact mathe- matical center. Here was erected a rude log church some time in 1807, which is supposed to have been the first church erected in Maury County. Near the church was laid out a grave-yard in which the body of Robert Frierson was consigned in August, 1808, the first in that vicinity. In this rude church, in the midst of the canebrakes and shades of the forest, the little band of pioneers met regularly every week to hear sermons by the Rev. Samuel Frierson or William Frierson, who poured forth the truths of the gospel with apostolic zeal and simplicity. In a short time the Rev. James N. Stephenson, who had been pastor of the church in South Carolina, became the pastor at Mount Zion. The old log church stood till 1814 or 1815, and was replaced by a brick church of peculiar shape.
47
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HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
It was arranged with the pulpit at the side with the main part of the building arranged for the whites, and a kind of transept at the end for the colored people. The old brick house stood till 1831, when a small body of ground was purchased near the old house and a new building erected. This house still stands, although it has several times been repaired and improved. The people of the Zion neighborhood were largely members of the Mount Zion Church, and being an intelligent class of people have always maintained a talented ministry. After the retirement of Dr. Stephenson, before mentioned, the Rev. James M. Smell was called to the pulpit, who remained till 1850; the next was the Rev. Daniel G. Doak, who remained till 1853, when he was succeeded by Rev. A. A. Doak. Rev. Doak remained but a short time, and was succeeded by Rev. J. T. Hendrick, whose death oc- curred in 1860. Rev. Hendricks was succeeded in 1860 by Dr. Mack, of Columbia, who served the church till 1863, and then gave place to Rev. C. Foster Williams, who still preaches occasionally. The next pastor was Rev. S. W. Mitchell. who still serves the church.
Inseparably connected with the settlement of Mount Zion neighborhood were the schools of that section. The old church was used for a schoolhouse. Parson Henderson started a Latin school there at an early day. Many of the young men of the neighborhood attended his school. Among them was J. M. S. Mayes, who has distinct recollections of the boyhood days of President James K. Polk, who also was one of his pupils. Among the teachers who have taught at or near Mount Zion are Elias J. Armstrong, Alexander Dobbins Park, White McCollough, T.A. Flemming, Dr. Thomas J. Kennedy, Simeon Smith, - James A. Frierson, L. Oatman, J. B. Frierson, Stephenson, J. W. Logan, D. R. Arnell, Prof. J. S. Beecher, A. W. Mayes and James Creighton. Many eminent physicians have also lived in that neighborhood, the most noted of whom are mentioned elsewhere. Among them may be mentioned Drs. Samuel Mayes, D. N. Sansom, J. C. O'Reiley, E. M. / Ford, J. W. S. Frierson, J. N. Brown, C. G. R. Nichols, William Armstrong, and Theo- odore Frierson, now of Columbia. Moses Frierson built a small water-mill on Lick Creek in the same neighborhood. This was the first mill in the vicinity for some time. Before this each family ground their grain on hand-mills kept by every family.
Not far from Zion is the Polk settlement. The first settler in this place was William Dever, a bachelor, and a maiden sister. They settled in this vicinity in 1807, and were the first settlers between Columbia and Mount Pleasant. They settled on a 5.000-acre tract that was given by North Carolina as a military grant. This fell to Col. William Polk by purchase. The Devers, by parsimonious habits, accumulated considerable means. Col. Polk, who was a Revolutionary soldier, divided this estate among the following four sons: Bishop Leonidas Polk, Lucius J., George N. and Rufus K. Polk. The other two sons re- ceived estates elsewhere. This was known as the "Polk neighborhood." The most of this talented family are now gone. Not far from this is what was the former house of Gen. Gideon J. Pillow. Hard by is the old church, St. John's Episcopal, ivy grown with age. This church is a brick building, and was erected in 1841. Here Leonidas Polk did bis first preaching, and by his vigor and talent rose to the rank of bishop. He was well known as a minister, lecturer and educator. At the time of his death he held a lieutenant- generalship in the Confederate Army. He was killed by a cannon ball at Kenesaw Moun- tain, Georgia, during the Atlanta campaign, in the summer of 1864. Ashwood Cemetery is the Polk family burying ground. Here are buried all of the family who have died in that vicinity, the first having been Rufus K. Polk. Rt. Rev. Bishop Otey here has a rest- ing place. Here, too, were consigned the bodies of Gens. Cleburne, Granberry, Ghist and Shahl, who were killed at Franklin November 30, 1864.
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