Publishing Co. 1887
Soil, Timber, Crops
The soil of this county is
exceedingly fertile, being either of a black or brownish red color; the latter
color is doubtless due to the iron oxides contained in it. Although there are
many places where the ground is apparently covered with stone, yet by careful
husbandry there are few places that cannot be made to yield a rich harvest to
the careful and industrious husbandman. Fields that have been cultivated for
nearly a century, and are apparently worn out by the cultivation of corn and
cotton, are soon reclaimed by a few years' growth of red clover, or by seeding
in the blue-grass, make excellent grazing lands. The native growth of timber
embraces almost every kind grown in the temperate climate. The native trees that
are valuable in the markets are oak, hickory, walnut, poplar and cedar, vast
quantities of the latter being shipped to all parts of the county, and until
within the last few decades was almost the exclusive article of produce for the
market, and it is still more largely cultivated than any other one thing, yet
large quantities of wheat and corn are raised. The production of these three
articles is almost marvelous in some instances with a suitable season. The
intelligent farmer has learned the necessity of a rotation in crops for the
improvement of the land and to guard against over production in some articles
and the necessary consequences - dull prices for that article. His crops are
now more varied, more wheat and corn and pasture lands. This brings about a
necessity for more stock, and such is now seen. The county is now largely
engaged in breeding fine horses, cattle and sheep. These are bringing rich
rewards to those so engaged. Large quantities of rye, oats, barley, tobacco,
potatoes, hay, peas, pans, wool, butter and cheese are also produced. The
product of the orchard and garden embraces everything from the smallest and
sweetest berry to the finest apple. The quantity is only limited by the effort
of the producer. The east fork of Stone River enters this county near Reddyville
in the eastern part of the county and flows almost in a northwest direction
through its entire course. It forms a part of the boudary line between Districts
No. 17 and 19; from 19 it receives Andrew and McKnight Creeks as tributaries. At
the corners of Districts No. 17, 19 and 22, it received Cripple Creek (named
from an accident befalling a man while crossing it) as a tributary; this with
its branches rises mainly in District No. 22. Stones River passes through the
central part of District No. 22, and near the western part received Cave Creek
from the south and Bradley Creek from the north. The last named with Stones
River forms the boundary line between Districts Nos. 22 and 15. Near the central
part of District No. 21 it receives Bushman Creek. Stones River then forms the
boundary line between Districts No. 15 and 5 on the north, and Districts Nos.
22, 21, 9 and 6 on the south, where it unites with the west fork of Stones
River.
Rivers and Boundaries
The west fork enters this
county near the southeastern part of the county, and forms a part of the
boundary between Districts Nos. 21 and 25; at the northern extremity of District
No. 25 it receives the waters of Long Creek, which is the boundary line between
District No. 25 on the east and Districts Nos. 20 and 11 on the west. The main
stream forms the boundary between Districts Nos. 18 and 11; near the center
of District No. 11 it receives the waters of Lytle Creek, and near the center of
District No. 11 it receives a tributary of its own name. The head waters of the
last named is called Dry Fork. West fork passes through Districts Nos. 13 and 9;
near Florence Station it receives the waters of Armstrong Creek, the two
branches, east and west fork, unit, and form one stream near Jefferson. The
river passes out of the county in a northwest direction; from the south on the
boundary of Districts No. 6 and 2 it receives Stewart Creek. Stones River was
discovered and explored as far as Jefferson by Gen. Uriah STONE and four men in
1794. It was for STONE that the river was named. Other streams in the county
were named in honor of prominent families.
Early Settlers
Previous to 1780 the Indians held
undisputed sway in the county. The old trace leading from Nashville to
Chattanooga is yet to be seen. Along this route the Choctaws, Chickasaws, and
particularly the Cherokees, held undisputed sway from time immemorial. Soldiers
sent out by Gen. ROBERTSON went as far as Black Fox Camp Spring in 1793. In
1794 ORR's expedition, sent out by Gen. ROBERTSON, followed the trace by way of
Murfreesboro, and September 7, 1794, camped near Black Fox's Spring. This
expedition extended as far as Nickajack, where the Indians were defeated. Few
Indian troubles occurred after that time. The first settlers in the county were
mainly from Virginia and North Carolina. Those coming from Virginia came mainly
by water by way of the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers; those coming from North
Carolina over the mountains on pack-horses. The parent State, North Carolina,
as an inducement to have the lands on the "Cumberland" settled up, offered 640
acres to each head of a family who would live upon the land; hence the large
number of 640-acre grants. Samuel WILSON, grandfather of Col. JETTON, is said
to have visited the vicinity of Jefferson as early as 1788-89, and marked out
lands. He soon after returned with his family and settled at Wilson Shoals on
Stones River. He has the honor of having planted the first corn within the forks
of Stones River; also of having killed the last elk in the county, near Murfree
Spring. He left a large and respectable family and died in 1827, and was buried
with the honors of war near where the United States Cemetery now is. Thomas
NELSON, Thomas HOWELL and William ADKINSON settled near Stewart Creek. Col.
Robert WEAKLEY and Robert BEDFORD each owned grants at the confluence of the
east and west forks of Stones River. These lands were taken up previous to 1800.
It was largely through the influence of these two men that the first seat of
justice was located at Jefferson. William NASH, who, with Col. WEAKLEY, surveyed
the line separating Rutherford from Davidson, is said to have owned the first
store in the county. It was he who administered the oath of office to the
justices of the first county court. Nimrod MENIFEE settled the land now marked
by the United States Cemetery. The place is marked by two historic events, one
the opening of the second year of the county courts, and the other, fifty-seven
years later, within a few days, the opening of the second year of the war and
with it one of the bloodiest battles of modern times. Robert OVERALL settled
near Overall Creek, to which his name was given. His family has been prominent
in the history of the county since its inception. Another early settler in that
vicinity was Capt. Richard RANSOM, who came from North Carolina in 1810 and
settled near the head of Overall Creek. Rev. James BOWMAN was another settler in
that vicinity, and was one of the early ministers of the Presbyterian Church.
Each of the last was the head of a large family. Charles READY settled near
Readyville, to which his name was given. He settled in the county about 1800,
and was one of the seven justices that constituted the first court in Rutherford
County; also he was one of the seven commissioners to select a new county seat,
appointed by the General Assembly in October, 1811. Of all these he was last to
die. Thomas RUCKER, another one of the seven justices, lived between
Murfreesboro and Jefferson; his place came in one vote of being made the county
seat, instead of Murfreesboro. Richard SANDERS and family came from North
Carolina about 1806, and settled on Stones River, in the neighborhood called
"Raleigh." In the same vicinity were the FLOYDs, BRASHEARS, WIGHTs and GOODLOEs.
Murfreesboro marks the settlement of Capt. William Lytle the great natural
feature of this county caused more good mills to be erected at an early day than
was the case in other places. A few tread-mills were established in the
county, but the vast majority of the mills were propelled by water-power.
Thomas RUCKER built a mill on his place called the "Cave" Mill in 1799. Louis
ANTHONY's mill was built on Stones River, adjoining Henry GILHAM's place, in
1804. CUMMINGS' and SMITH mills each existed at the beginning of 1804. John M.
TILFORD built a grist and saw-mill on the west fork of Stones River, near the
Salem Pike, in 1814-15; a distillery was added to this later. Samuel TILFORD
built a mill on the east fork in 1815. David DICKMAN built a mill on the west
fork in 1809, and in the same year James RUCKER built a cotton-gin, the first in
the county. Rates then were fixed by law as follows: Dinner, 25 cents; supper
and breakfast, 20 cents each; lodging, 8-1/8 cents; horse, with corn or oats and
fodder, 33-1/8 cents; oats, per gallon, 8-1/8 cents; whisky, one-half pint,
12-1/2 cents; peach brandy, one-half pint, 12-1/8 cents; French brandy, rum
or wine, one-half pint, 50 cents. The following kept ordinaries previous to
1820: William MITCHELL, William NASH, Harvey POPE, Charles O'FLYNN, Hugh GOOD,
James HILL, William HANSBROUGH, W. R. HEARN, Thomas MAYFIELD, Peter WILLIAMS,
William RATHER and T. GOODRICH. It is claimed that William NASH started the
first trade-store in the county. This was near Jefferson about 1803. The usual
stock in trade consisted of few articles of dry goods, some groceries, a little
powder and lead and the inevitable barrel of whisky. Money being scarce a
system of xchange was instituted. Large ox hides were rated at about $4;
inferior ones proportionately less; wolf scalps, at $2.50 each,
receivable
for taxes; deer skins, 50 cents; deer "saddles," 50 cents
per pair; 'coon
skins, 25 cents each. These, with other produce,
were sent to New Orleans
by flat-boat, a journey requiring a month
or more to complete. Dollars were
frequently cut into halves or
quarters and given for change, hence two
"bits," four "bits," etc.
Food consisted solely of the product of the farm
and forest. A little
corn was raised, and either eaten as hominy or made
into an
indifferent meal, and then into bread. Turkey, deer and elk
abounded; hogs were allowed to run at large, and when wanted
were hunted
sown and shot; clothing was made of the coarsest
homespun. A maid dressed
after the fashion of the day looked as
lovely to her rustic lover, though
dressed in a homely garb, with
cheeks aglow with health, as does now the
belle of fashion, in her
silks and jewels, to her gay suitor. Articles of
household furniture
were simple and plain. Gourds and cows' horns were
dressed, and,
with a handle adjusted, were used for drinking vessels.
Stills were as
numerous as the mills, and the whisky barrel as common as
the meal
tub. Instead of the social "glass" of the more refined society,
they
were simply asked to take a "horn," i.e., a drink; hence the origin
of
the expression "take a horn." Dr. Thomas NORMAN was born on
the
night following the completion of the survey of the county, which
had been
assigned to William NASH and Col. Robert WEAKLEY,
consequently he as the
first child born in Rutherford County. Black
Fox Camp Spring was a marked
place during the Indian troubles.
There is a beautiful tradition of the
celebrated Black Fox, who, when
he was overpowered by his enemies, rather
than fall into their hands,
leaped into the spring with his arms and sank
from sight. The story
would have been incomplete had he not come to light
again, and the
tradition that buried him brought him out alive at Murfree
Spring.
About three miles from Murfreesboro is the old BRADLEY race
track, which was a famous resort for sportsmen since 1820. Col.
Robert
SMITH was a prominent figure in those races. Betting, card
playing, and the
usual accompaniment were common at those races.
Near this old race track is
the old Indian dance ground, which is a
circular track dug out of the earth
and rock. Neither history nor
tradition tells of its origin.
Districts Divided
As the law now is, counties having
a population of between 7,000
and 10,000 must be divided into 7 civil
district; those between
10,000 and 15,000 into 12 districts; those between
15,000 and
20,000 into 15 districts; those having from 20,000 to 25,000
into 17
districts; those having from 25,000 to 30,000 into 20 districts,
and
those above 30,000 have 25 districts. These are numbered by the
ordinal numbers. Previous to the constitutional convention in 1834
the
districts were named from prominent families, as SANDERS,
READY, MAY and
MURPHY Districts. The first divisions were
made in 1804. The county was
then divided into three divisions.
Thomas RUCKER, John HOWELL and Thomas
MITCHELL were
ordered to make the divisions. The first was made by a line
along the
west fork of Stones River to the most westerly branch to the
Indian
"trace;" thence along the "trace" to the Wilson County line; thence
along the county line to SMITH's mill; thence on a line to
CUMMINGS'
mill; thence to the place of beginning. The second
contained all west of
the river to the western boundary. The third all
north of the road leading
from SMITH's and CUMMINGS' mill and
east of Stones River. James RUCKER,
James HOWELL and
William LYTLE were appointed cotton inspectors, each for
his own
warehouse or district. Tobacco inspectors were appointed after the
manner of cotton inspectors. Polls were listed and taxes assessed in
the various parts of the county by the justices of the respective
districts. The heads of families, when not over age, were enrolled
into
militia companies, and they were listed by companies. The first
of this
kind was in 1805, when Justice John HILL listed Capt. John
SMITH's company;
William NASH listed Capt. Samuel
McBRIDE's company; W. W. SEARSEY, W. W.
SEARSEY's
company; William LYTLE, Capt. John JOHN's company; William
SMITH, Capt. O. M. BENGE's company, and Charles READY,
Capt. Alexander
McKNIGHT's company. These companies varied
with the population. In 1806 the
captains of companies were as
follows: Capts. Alex McKNIGHT, Peter NOE, R.
READY, Henry
McCOY, Nimrod JUNKINS, William ROBINSON, Thomas
YARDLEY,
W. M. SEARSEY, W. A. SUBLETT, Samuel
McBRIDE and John SMITH. The districts
mentioned above have
been subject to many changes since 1834, as well as
before that
time, this depending upon the whims and conveniences of the
people. The county court every few years makes a slight change in
these, so many having been made that it would be too tedious to
follow
all. The usual price paid for listing up to 1834 was $20 to
each lister. In
1818 the captains of companies were WEBB,
MILLER, DOAKS, GANAWAY, SUBLETT,
MORRIS, COOK,
FOX, THOMAS, ROBERTSON, GILFINS, TODD, WELTON,
MOORE,
HALEY, HUBBEL, CARSON, PATTON
McKNIGHT, Thomas HARRIS, ELLIOTT and A.
HARRIS. In
1821 the number had increased to twenty-three companies, and in
1824 to twenty-six. The number increased yearly till 1833, when the
number had reached thirty-six companies. They were as follows:
Capts.
McGREGOR, STEVENS, SAUNDERS, CLEMENT,
FINNEY, RIDLEY, FERGUSON, BLAIR,
TRAYLOR,
MURPHY, HARRIS, BARLOW, McLEAN, NORMAN,
PARRISH, BLANTON,
HICKS, LILLARD, EDWARDS,
OSBORN, THOMAS, MATHER, SMITH, BIRD, IVY, HALE,
NEWMAN, ROWLAND, HOOVER, ROBERTSON, FOWLER,
KNOX, PREWITT, YOURIE,
BARNETT and BROWN. From
this time on the respect and enforcement of the
militia laws gradually
grew into neglect. This county was organized by an
act of the
General Assembly then in session at Knoxville, October 25,
1803,
but the courts for the county were not organized till January 3,
1804.
The county was named in honor of Gen. RUTHERFORD, of North
Carolina, who
was known in the Revolutionary war, and also in
contests with the Indians
within the confines of this county. It will not
seem strange that the
county should have been named in honor of a
North Carolinian, when it is
remembered that previous to 1796,
Tennessee was a part of that territory.
Rutherford County was
formerly included in Davidson and Williamson
Counties. The dividing
line was "on the extreme height of the ridge between
Mill Creek and
Stones River; thence southwardly to the eastern boundary of
Williamson; thence with the line of Williamson to the southern
boundary
of the State; thence with the State line east to the corner of
Wilson
County; thence with the Wilson County line north to the
corner of Wilson;
thence with the line of Wilson 6-1/2 degrees west
to the southwest corner
of Wilson; thence a direct course to the
mouth of Sugg Creek; thence a
direct line to the place of beginning;
that the county so laid off on the
east and southeast of the waters of
Stones River, etc., be known and
distinguished by the name of
Rutherford." The same act that created the
county also ordered the
county board (justices) to meet in March, June,
September and
December annually. Rutherford County was declared a part of
Metro
District. By an act, November 7, 1803, Samuel WEAKLEY and
William NASH were appointed to fix the boundary line between
Davidson
and Rutherford Counties. By an act, August 3, 1804, John
HILL, Frederick
BARFIELD, Mark MITCHELL, Alexander
McBRIGHT and Peter LEGRAND were
appointed to select a
central site for a seat of justice for the new county.
They were to
receive by purchase or donation forty acres of land upon which
they
were to erect or cause to be erected a "court house, prison and
stocks;" to lay out a town to be named by the commissioners; lots
were
to be sold at auction to the highest bidder; lots were to be
advertised in
the "Tennessee Gazette," and the proceeds of the sale
to be used in the
building of the court house, jail and stocks. On
December 3, 1807, Bedford
County was cut off from Rutherford,
thus reducing the latter to the
constitutional limits. Minor changes
were made in 1815, 1837, 1843, 1844,
1848, 1851, 1852, 1854,
1856, 1860, 1867, 1868, 1870, 1871, 1877, 1879 and
1883.
County Seat
The above named board selected a site
within the forks of Stones
River for a county seat. The town was regularly
laid out having about
150 town lots and a Public Square on which was
erected a good
brick court house which stood till 1835. The town was named
Jefferson. The following prison bounds were established: "Beginning
at
the junction of the east and west fork of Stones River running up
the west
fork of said river at low water mark to the first cross street;
thence
south to the south boundary of Main Street; thence east with
said boundary
so as to include the Public Square to a post ten poles
below MITCHELL's
ordinary on the south boundary of said street;
thence north to the low
water mark of the east fork of Stone River;
thence down the same to the
place of beginning." Norton GREEN
was appointed overseer of the streets and
Public Square. The
following were among the first purchasers of lots in
Jefferson: Peter
COOK, Theophilus CANNON, Joseph BENNETT, William
CARLISLE, Harrison GILLIAM, John BELL, Samuel BELL,
Daniel FERGUSON, J.
A. LEWIS, George DOUGLAS, Robert
WEAKLEY, William HOWELL, Tomas STONE, H.
H. HARRIS,
Norton GREEN and Mark MITCHELL, who kept the first ordinary
in the place. The rich farming lands surrounding Jefferson and river
transportation gave it a prospect of becoming an important
commercial
emporium at no distant day. Some very distinguished
men attended court at
Jefferson, among whom were Felix
GRUNDY and Thomas H. BENTON.
Dissatisfaction arose as to
the location of Jefferson as a seat of justice;
a most central location
was desired. October 17, 1811, the Legislature
appointed Charles
READY, Hugh ROBINSON, Hans HAMILTON, James
ARMSTRONG, Owen EDWARDS, Jesse BRASHEARS and
John THOMPSON
commissioners to select a permanent seat of
justice for the county. They
were directed to have due regard to
good water and a central location.
Sixty acres of land were to be
procured by purchase or donation. A struggle
was made to secure
the seat. Readyville RUCKER's place, Black Fox Spring
and Capt.
William LYTLE's place were offered. The commissioners visited
the
various places mentioned. Charles READY prepared a sumptuous
dinner, the Rev. HENDERSON delivered an address, toasts were
drank and
strong efforts were made to have RUCKER's place
chosen. The commissioners
were also entertained by LYTLE, where
the vote was taken on his proposition
to donate sixty acres of land
south of "Murfree Spring Branch" to the
commissioners. The vote
stood ROBINSON, HAMILTON, EDWARDS and THOMPSON
- four in favor of LYTLE's offer. The opposition led by READY had
ARMSTRONG, BRASHEARS and READY - three votes in favor
of RUCKER's
place. Such was their chagrin at their defeat that they
refused to sign the
deeds to the lots sold. All of the original deeds
simply bear the names of
Hugh ROBINSON, Hans HAMILTON,
John THOMPSON and Owen EDWARDS. The only
reserve made
in the deed was a mutual understanding that LYTLE should have
one
lot redeeded to him. This was accordingly done and the
commissioners gave the lot on the southeast corner of the Square.
The
land now in the hands of the commissioners was a part of the
lands
originally entered by William LYTLE and Archibald LYTLE.
The sale of lots
was advertised in the Knoxville and Nashville
"Gazette" to begin on June
12, 1812. The lots sold at auction and
were disposed of rapidly. George
SMITH received Lots 12 and 15
for $116.25. Other purchasers were Daniel
DICKINSON, William
LYTLE, Samuel WILSON, Henry TRATT, Robert JETTON, John
M. TILFORD, Wilson KERR, Bennett SMITH, James
HENDERSON, Blackman
COLEMAN, Fred BARFIELD,
Hezekiah CARTWRIGHT, William BOWEN, Hugh
MONTGOMERY and Abe THOMPSON. The commissioners as
soon as a site was
fixed were to effect the removal of records to the <
Many of the old Revolutionary soldiers settled in Rutherford County
after the admission of Tennessee into the UNION, on grants from
the
State of North Carolina. Among them may be mentioned the
GILBRAITHs,
GRANTs, HALLs, HILLs, MURFREEs, HUBBARDs,
JONESes, RUTLEDGEs and others.
Many of them became pensioners after the passage of the act of Congress, of
1832, for their relief. In the Creek war of 1812-14, related elsewhere, a large
number of troops went from Rutherford County, although it is believed no
regularly organized company was sent. Col. HENDERSON, who is accredited to this
county, was killed in a skirmish near the city of New Orleans. In the second
Seminole war, which broke out in 1836, Rutherford County furnished two
companies, Capt. YOAKUM's and Robert JETTON's. These men enlisted under the call
for 2,500 men to serve for six months. These men were attached to the Second
Regiment, which was organized at Fayetteville, about June 16, 1836, by electing
William TROUSDALE,
colonel; J. C. GUILD, lieutenant-colonel; Joseph
MEADOWS, first
major; William WASHINGTON, second major. These two regiments
were formed into a brigade, of which Robert ARMSTRONG was elected
brigadier-general. The troops left Fayetteville, the place of rendezvous, on
July 4, and proceeded direct to Columbus, Ga. The history of this expedition is
given under the second Seminole war. In 1846, on the outbreak of the Mexican
war, great numbers offered their services to the State and Government. Two
political companies from Rutherford tendered their services at once, the one
commanded by Capt. MITCHELL, called the Spring Blues, and the other by Capt.
CHILDRESS. The latter only was accepted. These men were not accepted till the
second call, and consequently did not see very active service. The sentiment of
Rutherford was strongly opposed to secession or separation till the climax of
the political issues was reached, when the
people slowly yielded, and in
time became earnest supporters of the
Confederate Government. The first
regiment raised in this county for
the Confederate service was the Second
Tennessee Infantry. The
regiment was composed of ten companies, averaging
120 men each;
two of these companies, A and F, were from Rutherford
County.
The captains of Company A were S. N. WHITE, John A. BUTLER, Thomas
G. BUTLER and James T. C. McKNIGHT. The captains of company F were Thomas D.
WHITE, W D. ROBINSON and William H. NEWMAN. At its first organization William B.
BATE was chosen colonel; David L. GOODALL, lieutenant-colonel; William R. DOAK,
major. The regiment was organized at Nashville, May 5, and was ordered to
Virginia. It was mustered into the Confederate service May 12, at Lynchburg, by
Gen. E. Kirby SMITH. The field and staff officers were W. B. BATE and W. D.
ROBINSON, colonels; D. L. GOODALL and John A. BUTLER, lieutenant-colonels;
William R. DOAK, major; T. J. KENNEDY and Alexander ERSKINE, surgeons; J. H.
ERSKINE and T. L. B. BROWN, assistant surgeons; Joseph
CROSS and G. T.
HENDERSON, chaplains; M. W. CLUSKEY and W. H. RHEA, quartermasters; W. T. DRIVER
and W. J. HALE, adjutants. The complete account of this regiment is given in the
State history. The credit of raising the Eighteenth Regiment is due largely to
Gen. J. B. PALMER, of Murfreesboro. At the outbreak of hostilities Maj. PALMER,
as he as then called, was engaged in the practice of law at Murfreesboro, and
was a man very much opposed to secession, a doctrine which he opposed with all
his force and logic. He said, however, if the worst came to the worst he was
withhis native State. The determination of Maj. PALMER to volunteer led a vast
number of his neighbors and companions to enlist with him. The following
companies were raised, principally in Rutherford County: Maj. Palmer's own
company, B G. WOODS' company and B. F. WEBB's company. The history of this
regiment is best told in the language of Gen. PALMER himself. The regiment was
organized on the 11th of June, 1861, at Camp Trousdale, Tennessee, by the
election of J. B. PALMER colonel, A G. CARDEN, lieutenant-colonel, S W. DAVIS,
major. It contained ten companies, commanded respectively by Capt. M. R.
RUSHING, J. W.
ROSCOE, William R. BUTLER, H. J. St. JOHN, G. H. LOWE, B. F.
WEBB, J. B. MATTHEWS, B. G. WOODS, A. G. CARDEN and W. J. GRAYSON. Col. PALMER's
staff consisted of R. P. CROCKETT, quartermaster, with rank of captain; Thomas
WOOD, commissary, with same rank; Dr. John PATTERSON, surgeon; J. W. GOWAN,
assistant surgeon; James W. ROSCOE, adjutant, with the rank of first lieutenant;
James S. BAXTER, sergeant-major.
The first battle in which the regiment participated was at Fort
Donelson, where after much suffering, hard and gallant fighting, it, with
the garrison and army under command of Gen.FLOYD, was captured on February 16,
1862. Col. PALMER and other field officers were imprisoned at Fort Warren,
Boston, Harbor. The staff and company officers were confined at Johnson's
Island, Lake Erie, and the privates at Camp Douglas, Illinois. All the men and
officers were exchanged in September, 1862, when the regiment was reorganized by
an act of the Confederate Congress. J. B. PALMER was again elected colonel; W B.
BUTLER, lieutenant-colonel; W. H. JOYNER, major; John W. DOUGLAS, adjutant. This
reorganization took place September 26, 1862, at Jackson, Miss. This regiment
from the beginning to the close of the war belonged to the famous command known
at part of the time as
BROWN's, and subsequently as PALMER's brigade; by
its latter name it was surrendered at Goldsboro, N. C., May 2, 1865, on the
terms agreed upon by Gens. Joe E. JOHNSTON and William T. SHERMAN. As a
regiment, it was commanded by its first colonel,
PALMER, till his promotion
to the rank of brigadier-general in 1864. The Eighteenth participated in the
great battles of Fort Donelson, Murfreesboro (Stones River), Chickamauga,
Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. It participated in all the engagements in
the Atlanta campaign. It made the campaign into Tennessee after the fall of
Atlanta, doing active service at all points. After the defeat of Gen. John B.
HOOD before Nashville, this was one of the regiments of PALMER's brigade which,
with other choice troops, covered HOOD's retreat from Middle Tennessee across
the Tennessee River. This rear guard was under Maj.-Gen. WALTHALL, the ranking
officer, and consisted of his own division and brigades of Gens. PALMER and
FEATHERSTON and some cavalry forces. After this PALMER's brigade was ordered to
North Carolina under Gen. JOHNSTON, under whose direction the
battle of
Bentonville, in that State, was fought. In this fight PALMER's brigade was made
the directing column, and it distinguished itself so highly as to be handsomely
complimented by Gen. STEVENSON, the division commander, in a "general order".
This was the last fight of the Eighteenth. The regiment was discharged in May,
1865, which closed its arduous and brilliant career of patriotic duty and
service for a period of a little more than four memorable years. At the battle
of Murfreesboro Gen. PALMER, then colonel, was wounded three times; in the
celebrated Breckinridge fight on January 2, 1863. He received a Mini-
ball
through the calf of the leg, one through the shoulder, and a shell
wound on
the right knee, thought he did not leave the field till the
close of the
engagement, and then brought off his regiment in good
order. He was next
severely wounded at Chickamauga, from which
he has never recovered. He was
also slightly wounded at Jonesboro
and at Bentonville. The Twentieth
Tennessee Regiment was known as Battle's regiment, and was organized at Camp
Trousdale near the
Kentucky line. Joel A. BATTLE was elected colonel; M. B.
CARTER, lieutenant-colonel; Patrick DUFFIE, major; Dr. D. B. CLIFF, surgeon; J.
H. MORTON, assistant surgeon, John MARSHALL, quartermaster; M. M. HINKLE,
commissary; Alex WINN, adjutant; John EDMONSON, chaplain. The only company from
Rutherford in the regiment was Company E. John S. GOOCH was elected captain of
the company at the age of nineteen, and was severely wounded at Fishing Creek.
At the reorganization of the army in May, Capt. GOOCH was elected
lieutenant-colonel at the age of twenty. Col. T. B. SMITH, of the regiment was
only twenty-two. Col. GOOCH was compelled to resign in a short time, and as
succeeded by F. M. LAVENDER. On the promotion of Col. GOOCH, William RIDLEY was
chosen captain of Company E, and remained with the company during its term of
service. Capt. RIDLEY received a severe scalp wound at Missionary Ridge; Lieut.
CROSSWAITE was killed at Murfreesboro, and Lieut. PEYTON at Chickamauga. A full
history of the regiment is given elsewhere.
Many other companies and parts of companies were recruited in
Rutherford
County, but their history is closely interwoven with other
regiments. The
battle of Murfreesboro began December 31, 1862,
and ended January 2, 1863.
The Confederate forces numbering about 35,000 men were under the command of Gen.
BRAGG, whose right was under Gen. BRECKINRIDGE, center under Gen. POLK, and left
under Gen. HARDEE. The Federals according to commander ROSECRANS, numbered
27,977 infantry, 3,200 cavalry and 2,223 artillery. ROSECRANS' right confronting
HARDEE, was commanded by Gen. McCOOK, the center by Gen. George H. THOMAS,
opposite POLK, and the left, opposite BRECKINRIDGE, was commanded by Gen. T. L.
CRITTENDEN. BRAGG anticipating ROSECRANS' intention of attacking his own right,
hurled HARDEE with irresistible force upon McCOOK, ROSECRANS' right, and crushed
it. By night ROSECRANS had lost, including stragglers, one-fourth his army and a
large portion of his artillery. His right wing was almost at right angles to its
position in the morning, but it had been so strengthened as to be impossible to
drive it further. The battle so far had been largely in favor of the
Confederates. January 1 was a day of comparative quiet except occasional
artillery duel and some skirmishing. On January 2 skirmishing opened about 8
o'clock and grew warmer as the day advanced; the tide rolled toward the right.
At about 3 P. M. the picket firing began, which was the signal for the
celebrated charge made by BRECKINRIDGE on the right. Perhaps no more gallant
charge is recorded in history than this one led by BRECKINRIDGE and his gallant
subordinates. They swept everything before them, crossed the river and seemed
ready to crush ROSECRANS' left, as had been done by his right, but he had
skillfully massed fifty-eight pieces of artillery heavily supported by infantry.
Upon this unseen enemy the troops rushed, but were compelled to fall back with
much loss. The night was passed with anxious watching, the following day BRAGG
slowly began to fall back, leaving the field in the hands of the Federals.
BRAGG's
loss was reported by him at 10,000; ROSECRANS' loss was 1,533
killed, 7,245 wounded, besides 6,273 prisoners. On the ground where the
battle was fought is now a National cemetery, where were gathered the dead
bodies from the various points and buried there. The number thus buried amount
to about 6,000. Near Murfreesboro is a Confederate cemetery, where now sleep
2,000 Confederate soldiers.
The city of Murfreesboro was founded by an act of the General Assembly passed
October 17, 1811, although no lots were purchased nor houses erected until in
June, 1812. The town was originally called Cannonsburg, in honor of Gov. CANNON,
but by an act of November 19, 1811, amendatory to the act of October 17, 1811,
the name was changed to "Murfreesboro." This name was given in honor of Col.
Hardy MURFREE, who was a Revolutionary soldier and held lands in the vicinity
under military grant from North Carolina. His claim as well as many others, were
signed by Richard Dobbs SPAIGHT, Esq., our governor, captain-general, and
commander-in-chief;" such an array it would seem would make the title perfect.
As is elsewhere mentioned, Joel CHILDRESS, Joel DYER, John M. TILFORD, Abraham
THOMPSON, CARMICHAEL, B. SANAWAY and Blackman COLEMAN, were appointed
commissioners (aldermen) of Murfreesboro. These constituted the first town board
or council, the former commissioners having nothing to do with the government.
The above act as repealed, September 28, 1815, and seven commissioners were
chosen by the people. Previous to this, November 5, 1813, the
election
precinct at Black Fox Camp was ordered moved to Murfreesboro. On November 19,
1813, all money in the hands of the commissioners from the sale of lots, after
paying these expenses, was ordered turned over to the town board for the benefit
of the town. The act incorporating the town of Murfreesboro passed the General
Assembly October 17, 1817. It was declared that the citizens of the town of
Murfreesboro, of the county of Rutherford and the State of Tennessee were a body
corporate and politic with authority to sue and be sued, etc. The town was
organized with a mayor and aldermen. Annual elections were ordered to be called
by the sheriff of the first Monday in January. On October 13, 1818, Isaac
HILLIARD and Mary MOORE, his wife, of Halifax County, N. C., legatees of Col.
Hardy MURFREE, deeded Lots 46 to 70 inclusive, except Lots. 53 and 65, to the
"Citizens, owners and Occupiers of certain Lotts or parcels of land" in the town
of Murfreesboro. This was done for a love of the people of the place, a desire
to make their titles perfect and for the remembrance of Col.MURFREE in the name.
On December 26, 1837, Isaac HILLIARD's enlargement was incorporated, containing
Lots 1 to 24
inclusive. A further addition was made to the city January 10,
1851. On December 6, 1860, Bennett SMITH deeded a lot near the Presbyterian
Church to the city. On December 12, 1865, the city limits were extended
three-quarters of a mile from the Public Square. Town officers: The first town
officers elected were Joshua HASKELL, mayor, but he resigned and David WENDEL
was chosen in his place; Burrell GANNAWAY, Nicholas TILFORD, T. C. WATKINS,
William BARFIELD, Charles NILES and G. A. SUBLETT, aldermen; William LEDBETTER,
recorder; Benjamin BLANKENSHIP, town constable. Other mayors, David WENDEL,
1819; Robert PURDY, 1820; Henry HOLMES, 1821; William R. RUCKER, 1822-23; John
JONES, 1824; William LEDBETTER, 1825; S. R. RUCKER, 1826; William
LEDBETTER, 1827; John SMITH, 1828; Edward FISHER, 1829;
John SMITH,
1830; John C. MOORE, 1831; Charles READY, 1832; Charles NILES, 1833; Marman
SPENCE, 1834-35; Edward FISHER, 1836; L. H. CARNEY, 1837; E. A. KEEBLE, 1838;
Edward FISHER, 1839; G. A. SUBLETT, 1840; B. W. FARMER, 1841-42; H. YOAKUM,
1843; Wilson THOMAS, 1844; B. W. FARMER, 1845-46; John LEIPER, 1847-48; Charles
READY, 1849-53; F. HENRY, 1854; E A KEEBLE, 1855; Joseph B. PALMER, 1856-59;
John W. BURTON, 1860-61; J. E. DROMGOOLE, 1862; * * * R. D. REED, 1865-55;
Charles READY, 1867; E. L. JORDAN, 1868-69; T. B. DARRACH, 1870; J A. JANUARY,
1871; J. B. COLLIER, 1872-73; Dr. J. B. MURFREE, 1874-75; H. H. KERR, 1876; H.
H. CLAYTON, 1877; N. C. COLLIER, 1878-79; J. C. CLAYTON, 1880-84; E. F. BURTON,
1882-83; J. M. OVERALL, 1885-85, H. E.PALMER, 1886. Police officers: A. G.
MILLER, City Marshal; G. W. MYERS, R. E. BEARD and R. M. NELSON. The town as
originally surveyed by Hugh ROBINSON, contained seventy lots each 150 feet
square, being numbered from the northwest corner to
the northeast from one
to twelve inclusive. The Legislature passed
eighteen rules and regulations
to govern the town while under the first
town board. In 1815 the General
Assembly passed an act for the relief of the seven commissioners of Murfreesboro
against any claims that might arise against them while they were discharging
their official duties. Capt. William LYTLE built a mill, blacksmith shop and
afterward a cotton-gin near Murfreesboro in 1808. The first house was built
within the corporate limits of the town in 1811. A. CARMICHAEL built the first
tavern in Murfreesboro near the "Pump Spring." Col. Joel DYER moved his tavern
from Jefferson to Murfreesboro in 1812; this building stood till burned in 1854.
Col. Robert JETTON built a tavern on South Main Street of cedar logs, that stood
till burned in 1853. J. RENSHAW also built a tavern near the southeast corner of
the Public Square. PORTER & SPENCE moved their dry goods store from
Jefferson to Murfreesboro in 1813. The town was now growing rapidly. A public
warehouse was built near the creek on Main Street in 1813. All cotton and
tobacco had to be placed in some one of the three houses in the county for
inspection before sale. W. A. SUBLETT and L. MATHEWS were made inspectors in
1813. The fees for opening and recooperage was about $1.50 per hogshead for
tobacco and cotton in a similar ratio.
On November 15, 1817, J. HASKELL
deeded Lots 71 and 72 to
Bradley Academy. In 1818 the market house was
built, which, with some improvement stood till destroyed by the soldiers. Hugh
CABELL was made sealer of weights and measures for the town and county. The
rates fixed were for a bushel measure 50 cents; pecks, 15 cents; half peck,
12-1/2 cents; gallon, half gallon and two quarts, 25 cents. In 1818 the town
well was ordered begun, but was not finished till 1824; owing to a destructive
fire all wooden chimneys were ordered pulled down, and brick or stone
substituted instead. Also a fire-watch of twelve men were put on duty. The
SUBLETTs were allowed $98 for printing the town ordinances in 1818. Stumps were
ordered removed from the streets. Few buildings at this time were adorned with
paint. The first brick house erected in town was built this year by John M.
TELFORD, west of where the present National Bank now stands. Drs. W. R. RUCKER,
James MANEY, Henry HOLMES, J. KING and L. P. YANDELL were distinguished early
practitioners. Lawyers - S. H. LAUGHLIN, Samuel ANDERSON, S. R. RUCKER, W.
BRADY, Andrew CHILDRESS, J. R. MARTIN, Charles READY, John BRUCE, John HASKELL,
P. W. HUMPHREYS and I. H. BUTE. Visiting attorneys - Rob BUTLER, John BELL, J.
H. EATON, Andrew
JACKSON and Felix GRUNDY. Merchants - David WENDEL, Joe
SPENCE, HILL, SNELL & Co., M. SPENCE, Silas LOIK, C. O'FLYNN, C. R. ABBOTT,
FALLS & Christy, David LINEAU, John SMITH, J. C. MOORE & Co., J. CURRIN,
Benjamin ELDER and Charles GUGGER. Saddlers - Charles NILES, W. GARDNER, A. S.
& J. DAVIDSON. Tailors - Reuben BOLLES, Peter CAMPBELL, Samuel PARRISH,
Samuel JONES. Hatters - Alfred MILLER, A. STALLER, Christopher HIST.
Cabinet-makers - James CRICHLOW, Ed FISHER, Samuel PATTON. Chair-makers - E. A.
COCHRAN, Isaac C. BROWN Carpenters - Capt. J. JONES, George ANDERSON, J.
McDERMOTT. Blacksmiths - William GILLIAM, John KENNEDY, William BLANTON, P.
PARKER. Boot and
shoe-makers - Willis BARKER, B. KENNEDY, J. JONES. Tanners
- V. COWAN, Rob JETTON, J. BONE. Wagon-makers - William R. ICEMEYER, J. D.
SCRAPE. Tinner - Lewis SPERRY. Tavern- keepers - James VAUGHN, R. SMITH, Gen.
Robert PURDY, W. C. EMMETT. Gunsmiths - Ed ELAM, George BALTES. Brick and
Plasterers - J. FLETCHER, T. MONTAGUE. Jewelers - A. LIDDON, who made the county
seal, and W. MANCHESTER. Milliners - Mrs. A. STALLER, Miss S. WARREN.
Wool-carder - Isaac C. BROWN.
The first General Assembly met in Knoxville May 28, 1797, and continued to
meet there till 1813, when it changed to Nashville and remained till September
15, 1815, at which time it again assembled at Knoxville, but was changed to
Murfreesboro September 19, 1819. It
continued to meet at Murfreesboro till
early in January, 1826, since
which time its sessions have been in
Nashville. The bill for fixing a
permanent seat of government was called up
October 4, 1843. The
vote at the third reading in the House stood: Yeas,
40; nays, 34. In the Senate, on motion of Senator W. H. SNEED, for Rutherford
and Williamson Counties, the vote on the question of locating the state capital
at Murfreesboro stood eleven for and fourteen against. On reconsideration
October 10, 1843, the bill was carried in favor of Nashville. During the session
while in Murfreesboro the Assembly met
in the court house, the
representatives using the lower floor and the senators the upper floor. A call
session was held August, 1822,
but the court house having been burned, the
session was held in the
Presbyterian Church; the lower house met on the
first floor and the
Senate in the gallery. On the assembly of the
Legislature at this place, Gov. McMINN took his seat as governor, and James
McDOWELL was elected doorkeeper. During the session of 1823 Gen. William BRADY
was chosen speaker of the House. The acts were printed on a press owned by the
State. This was brought from Nashville, and the work was done in a house on
College Street. The year 1823 marked
the first appearance of a "Dutchman" -
HOFFMAN by name - into the town. He was a baker by trade, and the novelty of the
man was as
great as the ginger cakes he sold. Another historic character
of this period was Peter JENNINGS, a free negro, who had served during
the
Revolutionary war, and for such service was awarded a pension.
At this
period Murfreesboro afforded two military companies, one of seventy-five men,
the Murfreesboro Volunteers, commanded by Capt. G S CROCKETT; the other, the
Murfreesboro Sentinels, commanded by Capt. Russel DANCE, afterward by J. C.
ABBOT, and still later
by Capt. John CHILDRESS. The former company took
part in the reception given to Gen. LAFAYETTE at Nashville in 1825. A great
semi-centennial celebration was held July 4, 1826, at Murfree's Spring under the
auspices of the Sentinels, there was a parade by the company, and speeches made
by M. ROOKER and others. A committee visited the Hermitage, and invited the hero
of New Orleans to visit here in
Murfreesboro on January 15, 1828, the
thirteenth anniversary of the battle of New Orleans. The invitation was
accepted. Dr. William R
RUCKER was president on this occasion, and G A.
SUBLETT,
vice-president. Great preparations were made, and a large and
enthusiastic assembly greeted him. A magnificent banquet was spread, and the
beauty and chivalry of the place did honor to the occasion. Thirteen regular
toasts were drank, and responded to with grace; twenty-four additional were
offered. A poem was prepared and read
for the occasion. "There was a sound
of revelry by night," and the reception closed with a magnificent ball. At this
time the population of Murfreesboro was 955, and the revenues for the town was
$355.81.
In 1831 the Washington Cotton Factory was started by Mr. LOWERY;
this had a horse head-wheel for motive power. From the success of this a new
company was formed, consisting of Messrs. MASTERSON, CHRISTY, LOWERY &
JOHNSON. A large second-hand engine and machinery was placed in position, the
whole at a cost of about $25,000. It was an unfortunate financial investment. It
soon passed into the hands of Dr. James MANEY, then to --- & WATSON, next to
MOORE & COX, and then to FIELD for $4,000. William Somerhall purchased the
entire business for $1,500. In 1833 a report was made to the city council on the
feasibility of establishing a system of water-works. A
favorable report was
made and the estimated cost was $1,000. It was proposed to raise the water from
the Sand Spring in large tubs, to be conveyed to the top of Capitol Hill upon a
wooden railway; the same to be elevated by horse-power. The water was to be led
from Capitol Hill, by cedar tubes, into an air-tight tank in the court-yard
square; thence,
by hydrants, to the places of business. The work was
completed and
the Rose Water-Works were set in operation. After a short
time they were found to be a failure. The first drug store was started by H. H.
TREADAWAY, on the east side of the square, in 1837; another was soon after
started by AVENT & CARNEY, which was afterward
sold to J. H.NELSON. The
first grocery store was started by Jacob DECKER in 1837; a large carriage
factory was started the same year by H.OSBORN & Co. Other jewelers than
those mentioned were F.
GARLAND, James REED, A. O. H. P. SEHORN, R. D.
REED,
William ROULET and J. LUKINS. In 1850 a new drug store was
started by John McDERMOTT; a hardware and grocery store, by
John C.
SPENCE; a book store, by R. D. REED; a second book
store was owned by CRAIG
& FLETCHER, which was sold to
FOWLER & DAVIS. The livery stables at
this time were owned by
TODD & CARNAHAN, TODD & BARKLEY. A carriage
shop
was run by R. & S. SMITH. The Cedar Bucket Factory was started
by J. C. SPENCE in 1854. The Rio Mills were erected in 1855 by
W. S.
HUGGINS & Co. The building was a large four-story brick,
and was run by
two twenty-five horse-power engines, and had a
capacity of about 200
barrels of flour per day. The whole cost about
$25,000. These mills were
sold to William SPENCE, who, in 1860,
added a distillery, and at this place
fed many hogs. These mills were
used by the armies during the war and were
greatly damaged. 1855
was noted for the great fire in this city, in which
the City Hotel, as
well as many other buildings, was burned. The first
gas-works were
built in this city in 1857. Mains were laid and the business
was started
by making gas from resin oil and cotton seed, but, the war
interfering, the matter was not fully tested. The war made Murfreesboro a great
military camp. The troops enlisted were usually sent to Camp Trousdale for
instruction. The first appearance of Federals in the place was March 7, 1862,
and on the 10th Gen.MITCHELL took formal possession of the place. July 13, 1862,
he made his celebrated raid upon the town, capturing a large number of
prisoners. This strange coincident occurred during the engagement: In the
attack upon Mancy Springs 21 Federals were killed and no Confederates; in the
attack upon the court house 23 Confederates were killed and no Federals; in the
fight at the river 2 on each side were killed. After the battle of Stone River
the city was again in the hands of Federals, they having taken possession
January 4, 1863.
All the churches and the colleges were used as hospitals
for the sick and wounded, first by the Confederate, afterward by the Federal
Army. In 1866 the Cedar Bucket Factory passed into the hands of the Stones
River Utility Works. It was started in the old cotton factory, but has since
moved to its present building. April 15, 1869, marks the era of the "great
fire," in which a large number of business houses were destroyed.
Business of 1870:
Attorneys - Charles READY, H. P. KEEBLE, J. B. PALMER,
J. C. CANNON, B. L. RIDLEY, G. S. RIDLEY, E. H. EWING, E. D. HANCOCK. B. F.
LILLARD, R. BEARD, F. R. BURRUS, J. E. DROMGOOLE, J. M. AVENT, J. W. BURTON, T.
B. DARRACH, J. D. RICHARDSON, J. W. CHILDRESS and J. A. LEIPER. Physicians - G.
D. CISTHWIT, J. B. MURFREE, W. C. COOK, J. E. WENDEL, M. RANSOM, L. M. KNIGHT,
W. D. ROBINSON, R. S. WENDEL, H. H. CLAYTON, W. WHITSON and N. H. LYTLE.
Dentists - A. HARTMAN and S. H. BEARS. Hotels - City Hotel, J.
A. CROCKET;
and Planters, W. A. RAPP. Dry goods - ROSENTHAL & Bro., T. C. GOODRICH, E.
ROSENFELD, W. SMITH, J. ALLEN, MILES & McKINLEY, RICH & WRIGHT, EAGLETON
& BYRN, TOBIAS & BRO. and A. G. ROSENFELD. Drug stores - J. McDERMOTT,
J. W. NELSON and William WENDEL. Bakers and confectioners - H. RAYMOND, G. S.
McFADDEN and H. OSBORN. Saddlers and harness-makers - John KELLEY, MOSBY &
Co. and J. H. BOEHMS. Grocers - L. BURGSDORF, LANE & CRICHLOW, J. S.
McFADDEN, J. I. C. HAYNES, Henry ELLIOTT, James TOMPKINS, COLLIER &
EAGLETON, JAMES & COLLIER, R. N. RANSOM.