TIMELINE OF EVENTS IN AND AROUND ZOLLICOFFER AND MAJOR EVENTS OF THE WAR
1858
	East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad completed.
	Reminiscences of an Old Timer by Captain Ross Smith describes the construction of the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad.
1860
November 6	Lincoln elected
December 17	South Carolina secedes and demands all Federal property in the state to be returned to South Carolina and all Federal forces to be withdrawn.
1861
January 9	Mississippi secedes
January 10	Florida secedes
January 11	Alabama secedes
January 19	Georgia secedes
January 26	Louisiana secedes
February 1	Texas secedes
February 2	Confederate States of America formed
February 19	Tennessee voters reject proposal to call for convention to consider secession by 68,282 to 59,449.
April 12	Lincoln attempts to reinforce Ft Sumter and Confederates open fire after garrison refuses to surrender.
April 14	Lincoln calls for 75,000 militia
April 17	Virginia secedes
April 17	Tennessee refuses to supply militia
May 6	Arkansas secedes
May 13	Britain declares its neutrality
May 21	North Carolina secedes
June 8	Tennessee voters approve secession by large majority – 104,913 for and 47,238 against. The eastern part of the state voted against secession two to one, but the rest was strongly pro-confederate.
July 6	Landon C. Haynes, “I regard the peril of civil war in East Tennessee as imminent. Things are growing worse daily…I am looking every moment also to hear that the bridges have been burned and the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad torn up.”
July 21	Battle of Bull Run/Manassas
August 16	Lincolnite leaders identified in East Tennessee
October 1	Lincoln writes memo calling for a movement into east Tennessee and toward Cumberland Gap, with particular attention to the railroad connecting Virginia and Tennessee.
October 29	C. Wallace, President East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad writes Gov. Isham G. Harris that “the railroads of East Tennessee are in a dangerous condition at present.”
November 8	Zollicoffer bridge partially burned by Union sympathizers from Carter County. Bridge burning attempts continue for several days…Early History of Bluff City
November 9	John R. Branner, President East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad writes “Two large bridges on my road were burned last night about 12 o'clock.”
November 20	At Camp Calvert, Kentucky, “recruits are arriving almost every day from East Tennessee.”
1862
January 18	General Felix Zollicoffer (namesake of Zollicoffer, Tennessee now Bluff City) is killed at Mill Springs, Kentucky.
After January 26, before July 3	43^rd Tennessee Infantry…during this period was occupied, frequently in company detachments, in guarding the bridges in East Tennessee. Company reports mention stations at Greeneville, Lick Creek, Strawberry Plains, Carter's Depot, Morristown, Zollicoffer, Flat Creek, Charleston and London.
February 11	Battle of Fort Donelson, Tennessee
April	Confederate States of America passes Conscription Act
April 6	Battle of Shiloh
August 23	58th North Carolina Infantry…was divided up, with one company at Carter's Depot, two companies at Zollicoffer and some at Johnson's Depot
August 29	Battle of 2^nd Manassas
September 1	62^nd North Carolina Infantry, R.P. Kelly, Camp Zollicoffer, Tennessee, to Dorthy Kelly, Haywood County, North Carolina, September 1, 1862. Kelly, stationed in the Bristol and Jonesborough area of east Tennessee as part of the North Carolina 62nd Infantry Regiment, writes about his health; that the regiment is guarding a bridge across the Holston River; and about the capture of a prisoner, two stills, and brandy.
September 16	62^nd North Carolina Infantry, R. P. Kelly, Zollicoffer, Tennessee, to “Dear Father & Mother & Sisters,” September 16, 1862. Kelly writes of camp life and drills, that they are stationed near a railroad, and of watching the sick and wounded from Richmond pass by, as well as volunteers to Virginia.
September 16	62^nd North Carolina Infantry, T. B. Edmonston, Camp Zollicoffer, Tennessee, to Dear Parents, September 16, 1862. Edmonston indicates he is not in good health, requests that his father sell some of his livestock but cautions him not to sell any corn, and tells his mother he will send a photograph of himself (“his likeness”). Please note that Edmonston’s letter was written on the same piece of stationery as R. P. Kelly’s letter of September 16, 1862. Edmonston and Kelly each used half of the front and back of the page.
September 17	Battle of Antietam
October 8	Battle of Perryville
Nov 1, to Feb 28, 1863	6^th North Carolina Cavalry, Company C lists 90 men, located at Zollicoffer, Tennessee
Nov 1, to Mar 1, 1863	6^th North Carolina Cavalry, Company D lists 96 men, located at Zollicoffer, Tennessee
December 13	Battle of Fredericksburg
December 30	2^nd Michigan, 7^th Ohio, 9^th Pennsylvania, Raid by Brigadier General Samuel P. Carter hits Zollicoffer. Two companies surrender without a shot. Bridge lit but green wood hard to burn due to rebuild from November 8, 1861. Kindling brought up and hot fire made in covered bridge. Vehicle bridge also torn down…Early History of Bluff City
December 30	7^th Ohio Cavalry, the first raid into east Tennessee, upon which a rebel regiment guarding a long railway bridge at Zollicoffer's Station was captured without firing a gun, and another force, six miles distant, was taken after a spirited though brief action. Two fine railroad bridges [Holston and Watauga] were burned, and much other property destroyed.
December 30	7^th Ohio Cavalry, skirmishing at Zollicoffer.
Harper’s Weekly January 17^th, 1863 SUCCESSFUL FORAY INTO TENNESSEE. Important intelligence has been received from rebel sources of a brilliant operation performed in East Tennessee by the Union troops. From the Lynchburg Republican of New-Year's day we learn that a body of Union cavalry, reported to be 5000 strong, and composed of one Pennsylvania regiment and others unknown, had destroyed nine miles of the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad, burning the important bridges at Zollicoffer, over the Holston and Watagua rivers, and capturing two hundred rebel cavalry who were guarding the former. The Republican says it will take several weeks to repair the damages at a time when the road is taxed to its utmost capacity. It also states that the Yankee raid, which extended over a space of nearly a hundred miles, was one of unexpected daring and audacity. Later Union accounts state that neatly all the bridges between Knoxville and the Virginia State line—a distance of 130 miles—have been destroyed, and the track more or less injured. So combined was the movement that the whole affair was completed in a comparatively short space of time, and, as the rebels express it, the line was so much injured "that it will take several weeks to repair the damages."
December 31	Battle of Stones River Begins
1863
January 11	62^nd North Carolina Infantry, Robert Meece letter “we are here yet and not in the hands of the Yankees. as you have doubtless heard for I hear that the news have reached thare that we were all captured, the rascals that taken 4 of our companys and burned the bridges have at last made their escape back into Kentucky”
unknown	Wesley Avans, 43^rd Tennessee Infantry, Company H. Conscripted 1863. Trained at Zollicoffer
January 1 to February 28	6^th North Carolina Cavalry, Company F lists 100 men, located at Zollicoffer, Tennessee
Nov 1, 1862 to February 28	6^th North Carolina Cavalry, Company C lists 90 men, located at Zollicoffer, Tennessee
Nov 1, 1862 to March 1	6^th North Carolina Cavalry, Company D lists 96 men, located at Zollicoffer, Tennessee
April 5	Captain William H. Burrough Tennessee Light Artillery (Rhett Artillery). Placed under General A. E. Jackson’s Brigade and moved to Zollicoffer. In June one section moved to Carter’s Depot, under Lt. Graham. The unit remained at Zollicoffer until September 1863. Page 127 of Tennesseans in the Civil War
April 20	62^nd North Carolina Infantry, Robert Meece letter… “there are a good many troops stationed at Zollicoffer and with them a company of artilerist there were drilling and trying their peaces…”
April 30	Captain Hugh L. W. McClung Tennessee Light Artillery (The Caswell Artillery). Company report shows battery at Carter’s Depot. Page 139-140 of Tennesseans in the Civil War
May 2	Battle of Chancellorsville
June	The Zollicoffer Mounted Rifles, 4th Company, Sullivan County Reserves. Captain James Witcher commanding. This was originally mustered as a mounted company, but later served as infantry. Its members came from south of the river in Sullivan County and from the lower edge of Washington County.
June 13	Henry Howard Godsey He enrolled June 13, 1863, at the age of 61 as a private in the Confederate Sullivan County, Tn, Reserves, Capt. James Witcher's Company, Zollicoffer Mounted Rifles. He may be buried in the Ordway Cemetery, located between Bluff City and Bristol, TN.
July 3	Battle of Gettysburg ends, Vicksburg surrenders
July	69^th North Carolina Infantry, William Stringfield writes extensively on operations in East Tennessee.
July 21	Lankford Hylton and Dennis Hylton, both of the 54^th Virginia Infantry, Company D. They both deserted on July 21, 1863 at Zollicoffer,
July 31	Tennessee Light Artillery (The Caswell Artillery). Attached to Jackson’s Brigade near Zollicoffer under command of Lt. Joshiah L. Pearcy. Page 139-140 of Tennesseans in the Civil War
August	Lovell, David - Private in Infantry Battalion. Smith's Legion, Georgia Volunteers, August 25, 1862. Transferred to Co. E, 65th Regiment Georgia Infantry, March 1863. Appears on roll of those on extra duty at Zollicoffer, Tennessee, August 1863
September 8	BATTLE OF LIMESTONE STATION At a bridge here on September 8, 1863, the 100th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, engaged more than 1000 of General Alfred E. Jackson's men in a short skirmish. Out of ammunition and surrounded, the 100th was forced to surrender. Union casualties were 6 dead, numerous wounded, and over 250 captured.
September 9	Cumberland Gap falls. News received by telegraph at Zollicoffer Headquarters.
September 16	Confederates under General Williams ordered to fall back to Carter’s Depot and Corse’s Brigade ordered to Zollicoffer.
September 18	2-3000 Union Cavalry pass to the rear of the Confederates by way of Kingsport driving off 1^st Tennessee Cavalry.
September 18	Corse’s Brigade reaches Zollicoffer after being transferred from General Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia.
September 19	I arrived at Bristol to-day and occupied the town without resistance, except by a force of 400 cavalry, which were driven out of town after a severe skirmish. I tore up the railroad, and burned the bridges, 2 miles above town. A large force of rebels is stationed at Zollicoffer. They are reported as about 6,000 strong, and are commanded by Major-General Jones. Generals Williams and Jackson are also there. From best information, I am satisfied their force is about as reported, mostly infantry.
September 19	Union cavalry returns to Blountville after damaging the railroad on both sides of Bristol.
September 19	In regard to the engagement of yesterday and the day before on the bank of Watauga River, at Carter's Station, I have this to report to you, to be submitted to the commanding general: (very detailed report)
September 20	an order came to me by Assistant Adjutant-General Reese requiring me to withdraw my forces and McClung's battery and burn the bridge (Carter’s Depot)
September 20	Confederate victory at Chickamauga
September 20	The enemy made a demonstration in force on us here to-day and were repulsed. My cavalry followed them to Blountsville, 6 miles from here. Their force engaged to-day are believed to have been not less than 2,000, all mounted, and six pieces of artillery. Five other regiments reported between Jonesborough and Watauga Bridge, but they had not engaged my force at the latter place this afternoon.
September 20	I directed Colonel C. H. Tyler, who had reached my headquarters a day or two before, to take the Sixteenth Georgia Battalion of cavalry and two companies of the First Tennessee Cavalry that had been cut off from their regiment at Kingsport, and feel the enemy at Blountsville early in the morning and endeavor to draw them on to attack us at Zollicoffer.
September 20-30	17^th Virginia Infantry, September 20^th fought and drove back enemy dismounted cavalry. September 21^st Colonel Foster forced to withdraw to Blountsville. September 27^th 17th Virginia moved to Carter's Station. September 30^th Marched back to Zollicoffer and boarded trains for Lynchburg.
September 20-21	IX Corps order of battle for East Tennessee campaign.
September 20-21	Tennessee Light Artillery (The Caswell Artillery). In engagement at Carter’s Depot. Page 139-140 of Tennesseans in the Civil War
September 21	General Burnside had been moving forward by the railroad, and there was some skirmishing at Carter's Depot on the 21st. Williams and his men were hurried back to that place, and on the 22nd General Burnside felt at Carter's Depot a part of the troops that confronted him at Zollicoffer on the 20th.
September 20-21	8^th Tennessee Cavalry (IX Corps) skirmishing at Zollicoffer.
September 20	65^th Indiana Infantry, 5^th Indiana Cavalry (IX Corps) skirmishing at Zollicoffer.
September 20-21 and 24	2^nd Tennessee Infantry (IX Corps) skirmishing at Zollicoffer.
September 20-21	65^th Indiana Infantry (IX Corps) skirmishing at Zollicoffer.
September 20-21	5^th Indiana Cavalry (IX Corps) skirmishing at Zollicoffer.
September 20-21	2^nd Illinois Volunteer Light Artillery, Battery M (IX Corps) skirmishing at Zollicoffer.
September 22	We met the enemy at Hall's Ford, on the Watauga, this morning at 9 o'clock, where our passage over both rivers was disputed by a heavy picket force of cavalry. After considerable skirmishing, the enemy was driven back and near to town, where we found the enemy posted in a chosen position with four pieces of artillery. It was with difficulty that we could dislodge them after four hours' fighting. I at last effected it by a charge of the Sixty-fifth Indiana Mounted Infantry, Fifth Indiana Cavalry, and Eighth Tennessee Cavalry, which was made just before dark. Our loss is not heavy, about 6 killed and 14 wounded, mostly of the Sixty-fifth Indiana Volunteers. We captured about 50 prisoners and 1 piece of artillery.
September 20-22	8^th Tennessee Infantry, Capt. Thomas Bible…arriving at Lenor Station about 3rd. September, 1863; thence to Concord (here I took the Yellow Jaundice) thence to Knoxville, Panther Spring; Morristown, at this point we took the cars to Greeneville. Marched thence to Watauga River, Carter County and drove the Rebels to Zollicoffer. Then fell back to Greeneville, almost starved.
September 22	…enemy had, in an artillery duel with one of my batteries at Blountsville, fired upon and burned the best part of that village
September 22	My force being altogether too small to enable me to hold both Carter's Depot and Zollicoffer, I withdrew General Williams to the latter place in the night of the 22nd, bringing away all stores and property.
September 22	Instead of pressing on toward Zollicoffer, the enemy burned the bridge at Carter's and fell back toward Knoxville, leaving, however, a force superior to mine in my front. I had no doubt that this move was caused by the result of the battle of Chickamauga.
September 24	7^th Ohio Cavalry (IX Corps) skirmishing at Zollicoffer.
September 24	1^st Michigan Volunteer Light Artillery, Battery L (IX Corps) skirmishing at Zollicoffer.
September 24	2^nd Ohio Cavalry (IX Corps) skirmishing at Zollicoffer.
September 24	9^th Michigan Cavalry, driving the rebels from their fortifications