The Only Union Town in Tennessee: The Reserve Corps Visits Shelbyville

Writing from camp near Wartrace, Tennessee on July 4, 1863, Sergeant Jesse Oren of the 40th Ohio was delighted at the warm reception given to the Union army by the residents of Shelbyville.

“It is impossible to describe the joy that was manifested by the citizens as our column advanced into town,” he wrote. “The stars and stripes were waving at almost every house. It seemed to us more like entering a northern city where all the people are supposed to be loyal than a Southern one in the heart of the rebellion. I only wish all the people in the North were as true to the flag of their country as those in and around Shelbyville, Tennessee. At one house we saw an old lady who had seen her three score and ten waving with her own hand the flag of our Union.”

This warm reception boosted Oren’s confidence, even overconfidence, in his army. “All fears of another bloody battle have passed away and we look forward to sure and easy victory. We may be mistaken in the last part of this proposition. If it is necessary, we will make a battlefield of every inch of territory between here and the gulf. Before two months, Rosecrans’ grand army will stand as conquerors upon the banks of the Tennessee River at Chattanooga and Tennessee will be free,” he predicted.

Oren’s account of the Tullahoma campaign first saw publication in the July 24, 1863, edition of the Clinton Republican published in Wilmington, Ohio.

 

Shelbyville, located on a limestone bluff of the Highland Rim on the banks of the Duck River, was referred to by many Union soldiers as "the only Union town in Tennessee." The town did not support secession and was even referred to as "Little Boston." It welcomed the Army of the Cumberland with open arms when they marched into town on June 30, 1863.

Camp Dismal, near Wartrace, Tennessee

July 4, 1863

          Although we cannot have the happy privilege of celebrating this day at home with our friends, we can at least unfurl the stars and stripes on the same spot where, but a few days ago, floated the flag of the Southern Confederacy. The long-looked-for move has at last been made. Old Rosy, with his grand army, now occupies the camp and fortifications so recently held by Bragg and his deluded followers.  This grand move of the grand Army of the Cumberland is indeed one of the grandest of the war. Never has victory been so complete at so little cost.

          All had settled down to the opinion that Rosecrans did not intend to move until after the fall of Vicksburg was decided. Bragg was confident of this, so confident that he was preparing to act on the offensive. Rosecrans had laid still so long that Bragg had come to the conclusion that he was afraid to attack him. Like a lion crouching for his prey, Old Rosy had been watching and preparing. So when a favorable opportunity offered, he hurled his invincible columns against Bragg’s entire front with such powers and concert that his army was driven at every point, scattered, and completely demoralized.

          This forward movement was commenced on the 23rd ultimo. With a line of battle full 60 miles in length, our forces moved forward, driving everything in the shape of a Rebel before them. We had a strong cavalry force in front and on either wing to prevent a flank movement. We suffered so much in the Stones River fight from cavalry attacks in the rear that it taught us a lesson. Every precaution was taken to prevent this and so far, it has proved perfectly successful. In the rear, our supply trains were strung along every pike for miles but not one of them was molested. The hardest fighting took place on Manchester Pike at Hoover’s Gap on the 26th. After several hours of hard fighting, the enemy was repulsed with a loss of 200 killed and 800 prisoners.

          Our corps commanded by Major General Gordon Granger advanced along the Murfreesboro and Shelbyville Pike. We first encountered the enemy at Guy’s Gap 9 miles from Shelbyville. A few shots from our 12-lb brass field pieces and a charge from our dashing cavalry sent them flying into town behind their fortifications. On Saturday evening the 27th ultimo. The 7th Pennsylvania, 2nd Tennessee, 4th Michigan, and 4th U.S. Cavalry charged into town, capturing 700 prisoners, 100 head of horses, and six pieces of artillery. The Rebels were scattered in every direction. Numbers jumped into the river to escape and were drowned. Our cavalry was so eager in the chase that some of them plunged in after them and shared the same fate. This charge was led by General Granger in person and is one of the most brilliant and daring of the war. (See "I'll Drive Them Into the Duck River: The Sabre Regiment Takes Shelbyville.") 

Major General Gordon Granger
Reserve Corps

          Our infantry did not occupy Shelbyville until Tuesday the 30th as we were kept in the rear for the purpose of guarding the train. It is impossible to describe the joy that was manifested by the citizens as our column advanced into town. The stars and stripes were waving at almost every house. It seemed to us more like entering a northern city where all the people are supposed to be loyal than a Southern one in the heart of the rebellion. I only wish all the people in the North were as true to the flag of their country as those in and around Shelbyville, Tennessee.

          At one house we saw an old lady who had seen her three score and ten waving with her own hand the flag of our Union. Brave and patriotic woman; she had lived in other days when the contest for liberty and independence was being made and had been imbibed a true patriotism that no arguments of Jeff Davis could lessen. Our regiment was quartered in houses and for three days we shared the kindness and hospitality of these good people.

As we entered town, I could but think what a change- two months ago I was there as a prisoner of war. [Orren was captured April 5, 1863 during the First Battle of Franklin, see "Run-In with a Rake: The 40th Fights at First Franklin."] Nothing was then to be seen except ragged butternuts and Confederate filth. I walked amongst their soldiery with bowed head and was compelled to act as if they were the lords of creation, no difference what my inward sentiments might be. Now the town is filled with live Yankees and I could walk as a freeman and bid defiance to all butternuts generally.

Captain Nathaniel Michler crafted the above map of Shelbyville in the summer of 1863 after the Army of the Cumberland occupied the area in the wake of the Tullahoma Campaign. Rosecrans' nearly bloodless triumph secured middle Tennessee for the Union for the rest of the war but scarcely registered on Washington's radar after the twin victories at Vicksburg and Gettysburg. 

We left Shelbyville yesterday for our present camp and it seemed to us all like leaving home. Since we came into Shelbyville, the Rebels have been coming in every day and giving themselves up. They say that whole regiments of Bragg’s army have thrown down their arms and gone home. His force has been so much reduced by desertions and otherwise that he cannot muster over 20,000 men. These are so completely demoralized and disheartened that they will never stand against the victorious and confident soldiers of the Cumberland.

All fears of another bloody battle have passed away and we look forward to sure and easy victory. We may be mistaken in the last part of this proposition. If it is necessary, we will make a battlefield of every inch of territory between here and the gulf. Before two months, Rosecrans’ grand army will stand as conquerors upon the banks of the Tennessee River at Chattanooga and Tennessee will be free.

Rosecrans’ headquarters are at present at Tullahoma. His forces are pausing for a short rest along Bragg’s old line. The railroad is completed up to this point and the cars will be in today. Our regiment belongs to the First Brigade of the First Division of the Reserve Army Corps under the immediate command of General Granger. The boys of Co. B are well and in the best of spirits. I never saw boys enjoy themselves better than they did on this march. Some of them have come to the conclusion that if we keep on in this way, we will be home before many months.

We ask you today while you are feasting on all the good things of the land to not be unmindful of Uncle Sam’s nephews who are away down in Camp Dismal, cheerful and contented with flitch and hardtack. We hope before another 4 of July shall have rolled around that we will be with you and help celebrate this great national sabbath.

 

Source:

Letter from Sergeant Jesse Newcomb Oren, Clinton Republican (Ohio), July 24, 1863, pg. 1

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