Invaders, North and South - Sparta, TN
Posted by: jiggs11
N 36° 38.154 W 086° 34.388
16S E 538161 N 4054567
Another in the Tennessee Civil War Discovery Trails series, located at the TN Welcome Center, I65 Sparta, the marker recounts the use of the L&N by both North and South.
Waymark Code: WMXPEC
Location: Tennessee, United States
Date Posted: 02/08/2018
Views: 2
TN Civil War Discovery Trail Marker located in front of the TN Visitor Center on I65 South near Sparta, TN.
there is a great Civil War Discovery Trail display inside the Visitor Center "log cabin".
Marker text reads:
CIVIL WAR IN TENNESSEE
Invaders, North and South
In 1861, the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, which I-65 largely parallels today, connected the mid-South to the Ohio River and the industrial centers of the North. During the war, however, it brought invaders to both Tennessee and Kentucky as a vital Union supply line. It was a target for Confederates, who established Camp Trousdale, a major Confederate induction and training center, at Portland, Tennessee, because of the railroad's proximity.
In February 1862, Union General Don Carlos Buell took Bowling Green, in southern Kentucky, and then moved down the railroad and occupied Nashville, the Tennessee capitol. Retreating Confederates destroyed railroad bridges, trestles, and facilities, but by April trains again operated between Louisville and Nashville, supplying the Union Armies.
In May, Confederate General John Hunt Morgan invaded Kentucky and destroyed railroad cars at Cave City. In August he raided Gallatin, Tennessee and closed South Tunnel between Portland and Gallatin. Late in December, Morgan again destroyed railroad equipment and tracks in Kentucky. After the spring of 1863, the line experienced little disruption. At many places, Union soldiers manned small forts to protect the railroads.
Type of site: Transportation Route or Facility
Address: Tennessee Welcome Center I-65 South Sparta, TN USA
Admission Charged: No Charge
Website: [Web Link]
Driving Directions: I-65 southbound at KY/TN border.
Phone Number: Not listed
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