The Civil War News & Views Open Discussion Forum

Re: Old Boss
In Response To: Re: Old Boss ()

“Yes they did suffer greatly from a invading army. However not from the hands of people from their own states. As for support, I believe those in East Tn were backing what they felt was their country not their state. Too bad is it? I guess the same applies to you.”

Below are words and actions by the most notorious of all Tennessee Unionists. He was a commissioned officer in the United States Army. And he burned down towns. And he murdered civilians, backing what he felt was his country, not his state, I suppose.

“I love my country and am too proud of her flag to ever disgrace it by that mode of warfare that Tennesseans must and will adopt if such outrages are not suppressed.” - Col. Fielding Hurst 3/29/1864

In July 1863, Hurst’s regiment accompanied Federal units into Jackson, Tennessee, to break up pockets of Confederate troops returning to the area. After a brief but intense battle, portions of the city lay almost completely in ruins. Criticized for their actions, the Federal units involved shifted the blame for the destruction to Hurst’s men. Fielding futilely protested the charges, and Federal commanders fined the Sixth Tennessee Cavalry (USA) over five thousand dollars from its payroll to reimburse the citizens of Jackson, many of whom were avowed secessionists.

As conditions in West Tennessee deteriorated with the amplified internecine warfare, Hurst battled not only with Forrest and other guerillas but with Federal commanders who threatened to court-martial him for a growing number of complaints about his regiment’s conduct while conducting counterinsurgency operations. Nevertheless, they ordered Hurst to “grub up” West Tennessee and destroy Forrest who had returned in late 1863 to disrupt Union supply lines. As promised, Hurst subsequently returned to Jackson, set it ablaze, and proceeded to Brownsville, where he burned a sizeable number of suspected Confederate sympathizers’ homes and businesses. Forrest pursued Hurst throughout the spring of 1864 and forced the Sixth Tennessee Cavalry (USA) ignominiously back into Memphis.

After the war, Hurst and his men remained a target for his mostly Confederate neighbors. Legends and stories of the Sixth Tennessee’s alleged atrocities against West Tennesseans grew over the decades, and Hurst’s name in particular was associated with nearly anything derogatory or evil. Hurst died destitute in 1882 and without any heirs, save his wife, Melocky. Even after his death, Hurst was not immune to the scorn of his detractors. They often rode over his grave on horseback and spat upon it.

Messages In This Thread

Loss of Citizenship
Re: Loss of Citizenship
Re: Loss of Citizenship
Re: Loss of Citizenship
Re: Loss of Citizenship
Re: Loss of Citizenship
Re: Loss of Citizenship
Re: Loss of Citizenship
Re: Loss of Citizenship
Re: Loss of Citizenship
Re: Loss of Citizenship
Re: Loss of Citizenship
Re: Loss of Citizenship
Re: Loss of Citizenship
Re: Loss of Citizenship
Yankee Politics
Old Boss
Re: Old Boss
Re: Old Boss
Re: Old Boss
Re: Old Boss
Re: Old Boss
Re: Old Boss
Re: Old Boss
Re: Old Boss
Re: Loss of Citizenship
Re: Loss of Citizenship
Re: Loss of Citizenship
Re: Loss of Citizenship
Re: Loss of Citizenship
Re: Loss of Citizenship
Re: Loss of Citizenship
Re: Loss of Citizenship
Re: Loss of Citizenship