In honor of Pvt. Nathan R. Oakes, CSA

150 years ago, my great grandfather, Nathan Richardson Oakes, served as a private in Company D of the distinguished 32nd Mississippi Infantry Regiment in the Army of Tennessee. He participated in the great Civil War campaigns, including the battles of Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Atlanta, Franklin, Nashville, and Bentonville. I am writing about his engagements as well as some details about fighting for the Lost Cause. I hope to honor him and commemorate the events and individuals that contributed to making this a renowned unit in the Confederate Army of Tennessee.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

32nd Mississippi Infantry | Guarding Tyner's Station

According to Company D's Captain F.S. Norman, during the months of May and June, my great grandfather's, along with several other companies of the 32nd Mississippi Infantry Regiment, were posted at the rail station in Tyner, Tennessee. Tyner's Station was located 10 miles east of Chattanooga, on the East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railway. Company D would have moved from its headquarters in Wartrace about 100 miles northwest of Tyner, likely traveling on the Nashville & Chattanooga railroad. Today, Tyner is located within the city limits of Chattanooga.

Present day location of Tyner Station, TN
Source: CivilWarAlbum.com

Tyner was not only a key station along this vital line of Bragg's communication with Chattanooga, it was also the main arrival and departure point for Confederate troops. In addition, Tyner was the site of the army's hospital, and those who died in hospital are buried in the adjacent Silverdale Confederate Cemetery, which is still maintained today (off Old Highway 11, near I-75).

Soldiers from Gen. Patrick Cleburne's Division will continue to occupy this important rail station through the Chickamauga Campaign. They will be back in force in July. Cleburne’s troops eventually built 4 forts to guard the Tyner Station on the East Tennessee & Georgia Railroad and the village.

Sources: 32nd Mississippi Infantry, Company D Return, May-June, 1863; The Chattanoogan: "Civil War Fortifications in Chattanooga," 2/21/13

No comments:

Post a Comment