Tennessee: Three Grand Divisions
EAST TENNESSEE
East Tennessee is the name applied to approximately the
eastern third of the state of Tennessee. Unlike the names bestowed to regions or portions of many
U.S. states, the term East Tennessee can be precisely defined. It is the portion of the state located within the Eastern
Time Zone and four counties in the Central Time Zone, namely Bledsoe, Cumberland, Marion, and Sequatchie counties.
East Tennessee is noted for its mountains, particularly the Great Smoky Mountains portion of the Appalachian Mountains. East
Tennessee experienced the historical State of Franklin. The East Tennessee Region is also known for being the birthplace of country music.
Contrary to most geographic regions within the United States, the term
East Tennessee has legal as well as socioeconomic status. East Tennessee, with Middle Tennessee and West Tennessee,
comprises one of the state's three Grand Divisions. According to the Tennessee State Constitution, no more than two of the Tennessee
Supreme Court's five justices can come from any one Grand Division. A similar rule applies to certain commissions and boards,
to prevent them from reflecting a geographic bias.
The major cities of East Tennessee are Knoxville and Chattanooga. Other important cities include the "Tri-Cities"
of Bristol, Johnson City, and Kingsport located in the extreme northeastern area of the state. It is an area previously
and traditionally referred to by residents as Upper East Tennessee, although today the term Northeast Tennessee is preferred
by non-residents.
During Secession, Andrew Johnson was the only Southern United States Senator
who refused to resign.
During the secession crisis, Andrew Johnson remained in the United States Senate even when Tennessee seceded, which made him a hero in the
North and a traitor in the eyes of most Southerners. In 1862 President Lincoln appointed him Military Governor of Tennessee,
and Johnson used the state as a laboratory for Reconstruction. In 1864 the Republicans, contending that their National Union Party was for all loyal men, nominated Johnson, a Southerner
and a Democrat, for Vice President.
| Andrew Johnson residence in Greeneville |
|
| Library of Congress |
During the American Civil War, East Tennessee was the poorest of the State's three Regions. Within Tennessee, East Tennessee had the least amount
of slaves based on a percentage and numerical basis. Consequently, the Region witnessed divided loyalties, and bushwhackers,
outlaws and lawlessness reigned. Many East Tennesseans served in Western North Carolina American Civil War regiments. Bordered with Western North Carolina, the two Regions reflected
many similarities: Western North Carolina was the poorest of North Carolina's three Regions; both were rugged mountainous Regions; within North Carolina, Western North Carolina
possessed the least amount of slaves; both Regions experienced lawlessness and anarchy during the Civil War; and they experienced
many battles and skirmishes against the same Union commands.
It "was a running fight for ten miles. Two Federals were killed in the yard of Senator Patterson, the
son-in-law of President Johnson. Twelve or fifteen others were killed. General Williams, while slowly retreating before [Union General]
Burnside, heard our artillery open upon the enemy. Dashing forward at a gallop, he materially aided us in the achievement
of one of the most brilliant retreats of the war." Lt. Col. William W. Stringfield while fighting Burnside's army at the Battle at Henderson's Mill - October 11, 1863
East
Tennessee proved invaluable in the defense of vital and strategic Saltworks and railroads. For example, while guarding the Strawberry Plains Bridge, the Thomas Legion's Private James Keelan was posthumously awarded the
rare Confederate Medal of Honor. The East Tennessee and Western North Carolina mountains were also in striking distance of several major Civil War battles.
According to
John L. Ransom, Andersonville Diary (1881), pp. 20-21, Madame Collier
was a federal soldier from East Tennessee who enjoyed army life until her capture and subsequent imprisonment at Belle Isle, Virginia.
She decided to make the most of the difficult situation and continued concealing her gender, hoping for exchange. Another
prisoner learned her secret and reported it to Confederate authorities, who sent her North under a flag of truce.
Advance to:
Recommended Reading: East Tennessee
East Tennessee Region Division Areas Upper East Middle West Tennessee 3 Three Grand
Divisions Tennessee United States Knoxville Chattanooga Tri-Cities Bristol Johnson City Kingsport East Tennessee
|
