05 27 1861 [Monday]

On the evening of the 27th of May, the Company [3rd Tenn.] met in Benton, Polk County, Tenn, ". . . to pay their last tribute of respect to that place and its inhabitants. The citizens of the town and surrounding country flocked to the place to take a long leave of their sons and friends who were embarking in the cause of their threatened country. A torchlight procession was formed with the Company in front, the ladies in the center, and the citizens (men and boys) in the rear. The procession being formed, the torches all burning and every door and window brightly illuminated with candles they marched through the different streets of town and, being but a few days after the State of Virginia had withdrawn from the old Union, the procession marched to the tune of "Old Virginia." The night was beautiful, and the scene grand and exciting. At one time the procession extended around the entire public square. The doors and windows were filled with young ladies and little girls with their hands full of bouquets which they cast in the way of the volunteers. After marching around for some time, we heard some speeches from S. A. Smith, J. L. Milburn, and others. About eleven o’clock the procession was dismissed, and all retired to take their usual repose in sleep.”

Confederate History of Polk County, Tenn. 1860-1866 A. J. Williams, 1923
Polk County Publishing, Reprinted 1995, p. 8