John Hinson, familiarly known during the war of the Confederacy as Captain Jack Hinson, was conspicuous among the scouts and partisan rangers who supported the Confederate cause. He was a native of North Carolina, born in 1805. Before the war he was an intense Union man, and did all in his power to prevent the armed conflict of the sections, but when the Federal army had invaded his home region he was led to take up arms against the invaders. During the investment of Fort Donelson, in February 1862, General Grant made his headquarters in Hinson’s house, but when the Southern troops had left that section the Federal soldiers committed such outrages and destroyed property to such an extent, without justification, that Hinson organized an independent company, and swore vengeance against the Northern army. Thus began a career, which continued throughout the war and made his name famous in Kentucky and Tennessee. He was an expert in the use of the Kentucky rifle, and at the close of the war there were more than two score notches on the stock of his gun, each recording a victim of his unerring aim. On one occasion, single-handed, he fired into a transport going up the river loaded with troops, and so deadly was his fire <541> that the captain of the boat ran up the white flag. But while Captain Hinson could attack effectively he could not presume to take the surrender of a transport, and after waiting some time for an armed force to appear and take the prize, the boat proceeded without further molestation. This daring soldier survived the dangers of war, and died in 1874, leaving a large family, but two of whom are now living: Charles S. Hinson, an influential citizen of Jackson, Tenn., and Thomas W. Hinson, of Ocala, Fla.
CONFEDERATE MILITARY HISTORY:
Volume X, TENNESSEE
By James D. Porter
1899