Posted on 06/06/2005 4:37:35 AM PDT by mainepatsfan
This Day In History | Civil War
June 6
1862 Battle of Memphis
On this day, the Union claims Memphis, Tennessee, the Confederacy's fifth-largest city, a naval manufacturing yard, and a key Southern industrial center.
One of the top priorities for Union commanders at the start of the war was to sever the Confederacy along the Mississippi. In April 1862, the Union scored major victories toward this goal with the capture of New Orleans in the south and the fall of Island No. 10 in the north.
For seven weeks following the defeat of Island No. 10, Yankee ships pounded away at Fort Pillow, 40 miles north of Memphis. On June 4, a Rebel garrison abandoned the fort after Confederate troops withdrew from Corinth, Mississippi, leaving them dangerously isolated in Union-held territory. The next day, the Union flotilla steamed to Memphis unopposed. The city had no fortifications, because the Confederates had directed their resources toward strengthening the installation upriver. All that stood between the Yankees and Memphis was a Rebel fleet of eight ships.
On the morning of June 6, thousands of residents lined the shores to watch the action. Three Confederate ships were rammed and sunk, and one Union ship was struck and severely damaged. Union guns aboard the other ships began a devastating barrage that destroyed all but one of the Confederate vessels. The Rebel fleet was decimated with only four Union casualties and one damaged ship.
(Excerpt) Read more at historychannel.com ...
Good for you.
Welcome to the new Reconstruction.
Do they have anything in the city commemorating the battle?
bttt
Here in Nashville, the battle has been overrun by sprawl.
They have some plaques (that need tending) and one memorial (to both sides).
Franklin and Murfreesboro nearby have quite a bit. Murfreesboro has a Federal Military park.
I think that my generation as a mid-late boomer are probably the last instilled to care.
Not no, but HE#@ NO! In a city that abhors the very site of the Confederate Flag, there's no way that any publc memorial for a Civil war battle is going to happen. Any and everything done in this town is predicated by race. And with that mindset, you'd have to go to Vicksburg, Chattanooga, or Shiloh to see a re-enactment of a Civil War battle. It just doesn't happen in a public forum here.
Sadly, I concur. Most of the folks in their 20s-30s could care less. They are programmed that way: be ashamed of your past, carry guilt, remove all symbols, plaques, markers, flags, memorials that are deemed offensive by others.
I saw a show on those battles and they pointed out how much of the battlefield had been overrun. Tragic.
I guess they're not interested in tourism.
It's very discouraging living here now.
Anyone who would buckle under pressure and take away what those brave men on both sides gave for each other's cause, ought to be shamed out of the country. Look at where we were then and where we are now. Revisionists and the PC crowd are slowly erasing our history and our silence is giving them all the ammo they need. I think it's time for another Civil War..........a war of wills and determination to make sure our history is left in tact regardless of how unpleasant it may feel to some. Get over it people!
That's what we here need to tell this black dim pol that wants to rename the two parks I mentioned. He's always against doing the right thing AND for raising taxes. History is history, good or bad. And I agree with you that peolple are wound tooooo tightly. Deal with the past, learn from the past, but get over it. There are more important issues to deal with. Get on with dealing with them.
Someone ought to ask this ungrateful moron where he was (or his family)hmmm, say 45 to 45 years ago. His chances of being an elected official were slim to none. Amazing how some don't or won't appreciate what they have NOW as opposed to what they DIDN'T have not too many years ago. Some people are just ungrateful belly-achers and opportunists who NEED to be "un-elected" or told to shut the hell up!
Ft. Negley has just been reopened in Nashville this year. according to an rticle in the Tenneseean sent by my sister.
Ft. Negley has just been reopened in Nashville this year. according to an rticle in the Tenneseean sent by my sister.
Yes.
A celebrated Yankee fort...lol
It's on a nice knob overlooking downtown off 8th ave South.
Only a few years ago there was a large one at Shelby Farms, I think that was the name of the place.
It's still there and still known as Shelby Farms. It's one of the FEW things this city can crow about. Very well maintained and a beautiful place to go. An oasis in the middle of a cesspool of corupt politics and racial strife.
Happy Battle of Memphis Anniverasry Day.
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