The Race to Knoxville

[toptimlrd]

Re: The Race to Knoxville

Greg,

Been trying to get in touch with you, give me a shout.

[ewtaylor]

Re: The Race to Knoxville

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/feb/26/purchase-saves-fort-makes-site-survey-possible/

This is a story worth reading. It would be nice for something to happen here. As for the relic hunters, this area has been hunted for the past 25yrs. Probably not many relics left.

[Greg Barnett]

Re: The Race to Knoxville

Folks,
Thank you for your continued interest and support of the Race to Knoxville.

There are just four spots remaining in Kiev Thomason’s company with the 2nd Alabama, Co G

There are twelve spots remaining in Jeff Noland’s (East Tenn) company 2nd Alabama, Co C

Sean Cooper and I are requesting that registration payments be in by March 27th. This will allow us two weeks to make the needed purchase for rations and the sort.

If there are any specific questions or problems with this please contact Sean or me directly. (PM, email, or phone)

There will be a work day at the site for all of you local fellers. We are thinking of the second Saturday of March (March 14). As of right now this is unconfirmed.

[Secechsoldier]

Re: The Race to Knoxville

Greg,


Pm sent on Fort Sanders Tactical of 2009!

Thanks

_______________________
Wes Verbal

[Thomas Alleman]

Re: The Race to Knoxville

I know relic hunters are a good/bad part of historical artifacts finding but I am sure there are things there that have not been found. I think they should have a relic hunting day to help find anything that is left. Also does anyone know what has been found there?

[Greg Barnett]

Re: The Race to Knoxville

Thomas,
They are going to do archaeological excavation of the sites, now that they have secured most of the property. The foundation needs another 15000 dollars to complete the purchase of Fort Stanley. From what I have heard, in the community, there is not much left to find without extensive work. I hope to be involved with this project. In fact the preservation donation from our little event is going to help this effort.

Take a look at this site: http://www.legacyparks.org/projects.html

Everyone let me know what your thoughts are on this preservation project.

[Greg Barnett]

Re: The Race to Knoxville

I am attempting to transpose information in regard to the Knoxville Campaign from the book From Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol. 3

Here is my initial post:

THE DEFENSE OF KNOXVILLE.

BY ORLANDO M. POE, BREVET BRIGADIER-GENERAL, U.S.A.

From Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol. 3 pp. 731-45

It was determined by the Federal authorities to make strenuous efforts during the summer of 1863 to effect permanent lodgments in east Tennessee, both at Chattanooga and Knoxville, not only for the purpose of interrupting railway communication by that route, but to afford relief to a section where Union sentiments were known to exist to a very considerable extent. It was accordingly arranged that Rosecrans should move from Murfreesboro' against Bragg, while a force should be organized in central Kentucky to move toward Knoxville in cooperation. The latter movement was intrusted to General Burnside, who occupied Knoxville on the 2d of September, 1863, with part of the Twenty-third Corps, and on the 9th received the surrender of the Confederate force under General John W. Frazer at Cumberland Gap.
The greater portion of General Burnside's force was now expected to move down the Valley of the Tennessee to a connection (possibly a junction) with Rosecrans, then at Chattanooga or its vicinity. This involved leaving Knoxville to be held by a small force, and rendered it necessary to fortify the place. Accordingly, as chief engineer, I was instructed to arrange for a garrison of 600 men, intended. only to hold the place against a cavalry "dash"
During the enemy's occupation of Knoxville, a very small beginning had been made toward the erection of earth-works. An insignificant line had been thrown up on the hill north-west of the college, and a slight epaulement on the bluff overlooking the railway station. Neither of these was of use in the construction of our works. The plans for two works were submitted -- one, afterward known as Fort Sanders, on the site of the imperfect work first mentioned; and the other, afterward known as Fort Huntington Smith, on Temperance Hill in East Knoxville. These plans were approved by General Burnside, and work was at once begun by the engineer battalion of the Twenty-third Corps and a small force of negroes, but progressed slowly on account of the difficulty of getting suitable materials. The forts were not entirely completed until after the siege of Knoxville. Meanwhile our lines were extended down the valley toward Chattanooga. By the 18th of September, a battalion of cavalry in the extreme advance reached Cleveland, and the prospect for a junction was good until Chickamauga put an end to further movements in that direction, and Sweetwater became our outpost.
Early in October a force of the enemy under General John S. Williams, coming from the eastward, moved down the railroad to the vicinity of Bull's Gap, and pressed heavily upon our forces in that quarter. With such troops as could readily be concentrated, General Burnside attacked them at Blue Springs on the 10th and drove them well back toward Bristol.
On the 22d of October our outpost at Sweetwater and our reserve at Philadelphia were attacked successfully. Subsequent operations and reconnoissances resulted in the determination to abandon temporary the Valley of the Tennessee south of Loudon. The troops were all withdrawn and the pontoon-bridge was transferred from Loudon to Knoxville, where General Sanders's cavalry command crossed it to the south side of the river, on the 1st of November. The abandonment of Loudon had in view the occupation of a stronger position on the northern bank of the river from Kingston to Lenoir's, where a pontoon-bridge was to be thrown across the Holston and the line prolonged by the right bank of the Little Tennessee.
On the 18th of November it was ascertained, that the enemy had constructed a pontoon-bridge at Huff's Ferry, near Loudon, and were crossing in force to the northern bank of the Tennessee. At the same time General Wheeler, with nearly the whole of his four brigades of cavalry, made a rapid night march and crossed the Little Tennessee with a view to cutting off Sanders's command. and occupying the heights opposite Knoxville; or, as stated by Longstreet, "failing in this, to threaten the enemy at Knoxville so as to prevent his concentrating against us before we reached Knoxville." Wheeler was foiled in this attempt, and soon withdrew to the north bank of the river, which he crossed at Louisville. He rejoined Longstreet on the 17th of November, after the latter had fought the battle of Campbell's Station.
Upon learning of Longstreet's movement, General Burnside took personal command of the troops available to oppose him. The operations of our forces during the next few days had for their object to delay the advance of the enemy to enable us to get our trains into Knoxville, and to forward the defensive works at that place, where it had been determined to make a stand.

More to come in a few days...


Cheers

[Greg Barnett]

Re: The Race to Knoxville

Men of East Tennessee,

We are planning a general work day at the fort next Saturday, March 14. I am not exactly sure what will be involved. The activity may be limited on this date. It may be more of an assessment day. With that being said, please bring your hand tools (shovels, picks, rakes, hand saws, mallets, sledges). Plan to arrive about 10 am and bring a lunch and water. We will try to work for about 3-4 hours.

Please reply and let me know if you can attend. You can PM me or call me if you have questions.

Thanks for your support!

Cheers

[Greg Barnett]

Re: The Race to Knoxville

Update for the event.

I have beenlate in allowing payment by paypal. I know that it is always easier for me to pay this way. I will ask for an extra $1.25 = $26.50 to cover PayPal's fees. If this is an overage of funds I will commit the remainder to the preservation donation. If this is not enough I will absorb the cost.

Check out the site for the Legacy Parks Foundation

http://www.legacyparks.org/projects.html

Paypal address: gsbpt@comcast.net

[hpotter]

Re: The Race to Knoxville

From looking at the valley between Armstrong and Cherokee on google earth, it appears to be covered by a large pond. Greg, how accessible is it now off Cherokee Trail?

[Greg Barnett]

Re: The Race to Knoxville

From looking at the valley between Armstrong and Cherokee on google earth, it appears to be covered by a large pond. Greg, how accessible is it now off Cherokee Trail?

Heath,
I have not tried to access the area, in quite sometime. Access may be better in the near future since some of the land has been purchased for preservation. I hope to be part of the preservation activities. Look at this map.

[Greg Barnett]

Re: The Race to Knoxville

More from Poe's after action report...


"Longstreet advanced from Loudon in two columns, McLaws's division taking the left road, leading to Campbell's Station, and Hood's division (commanded by Jenkins), the one to the right, following the line of the railroad to Lenoir's. The latter soon came in contact with the Federal skirmishers and drove them slowly back, but failed to reach Lenoir's that day. Every effort was made during the night to ascertain Burnside's movements, but his bold and vigilant rear-guard succeeded in completely concealing them. By daybreak the whole force was on the road, and when the Confederates advanced they found Lenoir's deserted.
The road upon which Burnside was moving, followed by Jenkins, intersects that along which McLaws was advancing, about a mile south-west of Campbell's Station. It was therefore essential to the safety of his train, if not of his entire command, that Burnside should reach the junction before McLaws. Just before daylight on the 16th of November, Hartranft's division took the advance of Burnside's column from Lenoir's and pushed forward. as rapidly as the roads permitted, followed by the trains and by the other troops. McLaws, with full knowledge of the importance of seizing the intersection of the roads, was making every endeavor to get possession before the arrival of Burnside. He was opposed by a small force, but his march, like Hartranft's, was impeded by the mud resulting from heavy rains. It thus became a race for the position. Hartranft won by perhaps half an hour, and, turning west on the Kingston road, quickly deployed his division in such manner as to confront McLaws, and at the same time cover the Loudon road along which our trains were moving.
During the movement from Lenoir's, Burnside's rear-guard, composed of Colonel William Humphrey's brigade (Including the 2nd Michigan Infantry), had several sharp encounters with Jenkins's advance, in which Humphrey handled his forces so well as to excite the admiration of both friends and foes, always standing long enough, but never too long.
Scarcely had Hartranft's dispositions been made when McLaws appeared and attacked, but Hartranft steadfastly held his ground until the remainder of our troops and all our trains had safely passed. The trains continued on the road to Knoxville, while the troops were formed in line of battle about half a mile beyond the junction, with Ferrero's division on the right, and White's in prolongation to the left, whereupon Hartranft withdrew from his advanced position and took his place in line on the left of White. A small cavalry force scouted the roads on each lank of the line. About noon Longstreet unsuccessfully attacked our right, and afterward our left center. Later, taking advantage of a wooded ridge to conceal the march, he attempted to turn our left flank with three brigades of Jenkins's division, but our scouts soon discovered and reported the movement. Burnside had determined to retire to a new position about two-thirds of a mile to his rear, and this development but slightly hastened his withdrawal from the first line. The difficult and hazardous undertaking was successfully accomplished in the face of the enemy. All who saw it say that the troops movers with the greatest coolness, deliberation, and precision under a heavy and continuous fire.
McLaws's division promptly advanced to attack the new position, while Jenkins continued his turning movement, but the difficulties of the ground delayed him until nightfall and stopped his further progress. McLaws attacked, and failed to make an impression, and at the close of the action Burnside remained in possession of his own ground until after dark, and then continued his movement to Knoxville, the head of his column appearing there about daybreak next morning, November 17th. He had gained his object and therefore was fairly entitled to claim a victory.
Burnside placed his whole loss in this important affair of Campbell's Station at about 300. Jenkins reported his as 174. It is probable that the losses on both sides, including McLaws's, were about equal."


Cheers

[Greg Barnett]

Re: The Race to Knoxville

Here is a new photo of Knoxville that I have not seen before. I just found this today. Posted for your viewing pleasure.

The photo shows the University, "The Hill". Photo is taken from Fort Sanders Looking south-east. One can see the Kingston Pike of Cumberland Ave. One can also see the trench works.

The photo was probably made in spring or summer of 1864.

[suspenderless pard]

Re: The Race to Knoxville

Greg and I were supposed to meet Saturday with a few guys to get a plan together for the work days. We had to reschedule due to the rain we got up here Saturday. As soon as we know the dates for the next work weekend we'll let everyone know. Thanks.

[Greg Barnett]

Re: The Race to Knoxville

Poe describes the works completed in Knoxville in detail. Please refer to an earlier post that has pictures that shows the forts and the batteries he speaks of.

More from Poe's after action report...


"During the fight Burnside had instructed me to select lines of defense around Knoxville and have everything prepared to put the troops into position as fast as they should arrive. I was well acquainted with the ground, and but little further examination was necessary to enable me to designate, in writing, the proposed location of each organization.
The topographical features of the vicinity of Knoxville give that place decided strength as a military position. On the northern or right bank of the Holston, a narrow table-land, or ridge, beginning about two miles east of the town, extends down the river to Lenoir's, some 24 miles. This ridge is generally elevated about 150 feet above the river, but with many higher points. Its width at Knoxville is about 1800 yards, and the valley bounding it on the north-west, parallel with the river, is perhaps 50 feet above that stream at the ordinary stage of water. The East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia railroad is located along the valley, which was almost entirely clear of timber. At short intervals the ridge is cut through by small streams emptying into the Holston, two of which, called First and Second Creeks, run through the town at a distance apart of about one thousand yards. The main portion of Knoxville, as it existed at the time of the siege, occupied that portion of the table-land included between the two creeks, the river and the valley. East Knoxville was situated. next east of First Creek, upon an elevation known as Temperance Hill. East of Temperance Hill, and separated from it by a depression in the ridge, is Mabry's Hill, the highest ground on the north side of the Holston within cannon-range of the town. Beyond this the ground, with a few minor elevations, gradually descends to the level of the valley. Flint Hill is immediately upon the bank of the river, south of Temperance Hill. Third Creek, a little more than a mile westward from Second Creek, forms the south-westerly limit of another natural division of the ridge, including the hill north-west from the college. North-westerly from the river are found successive ridges; the most important was occupied by the Confederates, across the valley a mile from our line. South of the Holston the ground rises in a series of prominent points, or knobs, the highest of which is directly opposite Knoxville on the prolongation of Gay street. These knobs form a range, the crest line of which is parallel with the river at an average distance from it of about half a mile, with a wide valley beyond.
On the Knoxville side of the Holston, our line rested upon the river about a quarter of a mile below the mouth of Second Creek, extended from there at an angle of about 82 degrees with the river for 900 yards to Battery Noble, then, bending about 50 degrees to the northward, continued a little more than 600 yards to Fort Sanders, where it changed direction about 65 degrees to the eastward, and, overlooking the valley, followed the crest of the bluff, parallel with the general course of the river for some 1600 yards to Battery Wiltsie, opposite the railroad station, including, in this part of the line, Battery Zoellner, between Fort Sanders and Second Creek, Battery Galpin, just east of Second Greek, and Fort Comstock, between Battery Galpin and Battery Wiltsie. From the last named, with a slight change of direction toward the river, the line continued along the crest of the bluff, over Temperance Hill to Mabry's Hill, a distance of 2400 yards, including Battery Billingsley just west of First Creek, Fort Huntington Smith on Temperance Hill, Battery Clifton Lee and Battery Stearman in the depression between Temperance Hill and Mabry's Hill, and Fort Hill on the extreme easterly point of Mabry's Hill. From here it turned sharply to the southward for 1300 yards and reached the river at a ravine about 1000 yards above the mouth of First Creek. A continuous line of infantry cover connected all these positions, and dams were built at the crossing of First and Second Creeks which, by backing the water, formed considerable obstacles, especially in front of Temperance Hill, where the line was parallel with the course of First Creek for 1200 yards, and the pond impassable without bridges.
A short interior line was established from Fort Sanders to Second Creek, near its mouth. This included Fort Byington, built around the college. another line extended from Temperance Hill to Flint Hill, terminating in Battery Fearns.
On the south side of the river such of the heights (four in number) as were necessary to the defense were occupied by detached works with extensions for infantry cover, insufficient, however, to make the line continuous, or even approximately so. Fort Stanley was built on the hill directly opposite Knoxville, and a line of ordinary rifle-trenches was carried eastward from it across the Sevierville road and to the adjacent height. The hill nearly opposite the mouth of Second Creek was occupied by Fort Dickerson, and the next one to the westward by Fort Higley."

A few more to follow.

Regards,