All history is local history. It is from our own surroundings that we connect with the larger regional, state and national past. It is the aim of htis sourcebook to widen the focus of study to include incidents of Civil War activity that occurred on the Tennessee Cumberland Plateau. After each doument there is a brief citation showing the source from which the report or entry was taken --

Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau played host to some of the most dramatic military maneuvering of the Civil War. As Federal forces sought to capitalize on the capture of Nashville, they moved into a region split by the most vicious guerrilla warfare outside Missouri. The bitter conflict affected thousands of ordinary men and women struggling to survive in the face of a remorseless war of attrition, and its legacy continues to be felt today.

Join author James B. Jones Jr. on an exciting journey through the unknown and hidden history of Civil War Tennessee. Tennessee's Civil War history is an oft-told narrative of famous battles, cunning campaigns and renowned figures. Beneath this well-documented history lie countless stories that have been forgotten and displaced over time./strong Discover how Vigilance Committees sought to govern cities such as Memphis, where law was believed to be dead. See how Nashville and Memphis became important medical centers, addressing the rapid spread of "private diseases" among soldiers, and marvel at Colonel John M. Hughes, whose men engaged in guerrilla warfare throughout the state.

The only state designated by Congress as a Civil War National Heritage Area, Tennessee witnessed more than its share of Civil War strife. This collection taken from primary documents--including newspaper accounts, official reports, journal and diary entries, gunboat deck logs and letters--offers rare glimpses of the Civil War as it unfolded in the Volunteer State. Arranged chronologically from April 1861 to April 1865, the accounts chronicle some of the numerous smaller skirmishes of the war and address a variety of topics critical to the civilian population, including health issues, politics, anti-Semitism, inflation, welfare, commodities speculation, refugees, African Americans, Native Americans, and the war's effect on women. These informative accounts go beyond the customary emphasis on famous generals and big battles to illustrate how the Civil War impacted the lives of those everyday soldiers and Tennessee citizens whose history has become marginalized.

"An excellent way to travel the battlefields of the great State of Tennessee. Well researched, with detailed maps and photographs, this book allows you to follow Gen. N. B. Forrest over his many engagements and march along the army of Tennessee."--Thomas Cartwright, former director of the Carter House in Franklin, Tennessee"Bishop has done a fabulous job in conducting an overview of the major battles in Tennessee and in noting their status of preservation." --Steve McDaniel, president of the Tennessee Civil War Preservation Association"This publication is essential for any historian who desires to learn more about the War Between the States in Tennessee." --Confederate VeteranFrom Fort Henry to Franklin, this history book recalls the thirty-eight major battles that took place between 1862 and 1864 in Tennessee. In addition to detailing the current condition of the sites, Randy Bishop provides an overview of such battles as Shiloh and Davis Bridge, which claimed the lives of nearly one thousand soldiers, while emphasizing the strategy employed in each skirmish. The inclusion of diary entries and personal stories from several soldiers, offer a firsthand account of their experiences during the war and acknowledge well-known members of the Confederacy, such as Nathan Bedford Forest and John Hunt Morgan. Along with maps by Dave Roth of Blue and Gray magazine, more than one hundred photos provide a past and present portrayal of the battlefields, making this volume a valuable reference for scholars and a tribute to soldiers.