We took the courtesy car to the Visitors' Center for Johnsonville State Historic Park and learned about a major Confederate victory during the Civil War. It occurred in 1864...but was too little, too late to change the course of the war.
The town of Johnsonville had been transformed from just a small river landing to a major Union depot, with huge warehouses, that would transfer supplies from ships to trains for delivery to Union troops, especially Gen. Sherman's huge army, marching to the sea through Georgia. 20,000 horses were needed to pull his 5,000 supply wagons and hospital wagons! 100 head of cattle were needed each day to feed the troops.
Ammunition had to be continually re-stocked.
The supply depot was huge with ships continually bringing supplies.
This huge supply depot would be destroyed by the Confederates under Major General Forrest. His cavalry even managed to commandeer Union supply ships on the Tennessee River...a first for the record books!
The original town of Johnsonville that was built on the river's edge now lies beneath Kentucky Lake. There is a "New Johnsonville" that was built on higher ground after the TVA changed the narrow Tennessee River into a lake!
On Monday we hope to travel about 75 miles and anchor off Swallow Bluff Island. We're not sure if we'll have internet to post the blog....here's hoping!
On Monday we hope to travel about 75 miles and anchor off Swallow Bluff Island. We're not sure if we'll have internet to post the blog....here's hoping!
Hi Bernadette,
ReplyDeleteBack to checking your blog & catching up but not sorted out yet as to following the whole thing. Had Shepherding meeting today & Anne told us you had lost your 2nd dog, I think Kate? Was so sorry to hear that, life will be very different for you with no dogs. I heard of 2 Huskies who need a home after a woman on Dorcas Bay died, not sure if they found one yet but I doubt you would be ready for that.
My trip was wonderful, we loved the whole thing & managed almost everything. Elizabeth was a great traveling companion. Have been checking Anne Miller's blog as well, she is on a trip through Europe.