Travel a few miles into NortheastTennessee, cross the fields and streams where the men of the North and the South gave their lives and here you will find the historic little town of Blountville.
East Tennessee was of strategic importance during the Civil War primarily because the East Tennessee & Virginia Railroad. Early in the war, both sides recognized the importance of the railroad line for both supplies and communications. Throughout the next four years, small battles took place in order to gain possession of this railroad with its Holston River Bridge in nearby Zollicoffer, which is today known as Bluff City.
A second factor which provoked Union animosity was the holding of seized property rights of Union sympathizers held by Matthew Haynes of Blountville whose brother was the eloquent Landon C. Haynes, Speaker of the Confederate Senate. A third target for Union guns was the tannery on the banks of Muddy Creek on the west side of Blountville. This tannery furnished the saddles for Mosby’s raiders, a Confederate Brigade of cavalrymen who looted Union sympathizers in Northeast Tennessee.
Each year, history comes to life as the Battle of Blountville is told through the Department of East Tennessee Reenacting. This year’s event takes place Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at the Old Hawley Farm. The event is co-sponsored by the Sullivan County Department of Archives and Tourism and the Battle of Blountville Civil War Military Park.
What to Expect
The event is open to the public all three days. Admission is $3 and children ages 6 and under are free. School groups are welcome on Friday and Saturday includes a Victorian Ladies Tea, Memorial Service and Civil War battle. The event ends on Sunday with a church service and Civil War battle. Guests are advised to wear comfortable clothing as the Battle of Blountville reenactment takes place on a farm.
Friday, Sept. 29
9:00a – Camps open
9:00a thru 1:30p – Education day for the school systems
(reenactor / sutler / vendor / event aide setup will occur throughout the day)
Saturday, Sept. 30
9:00a – Camps open and event begins
10:00 – Infantry Demonstrations
11:00a – Ladies Tea
12:00p – SCV Memorial service
2:00p – Civil War Battle
5:00p – Camps close to public
Sunday. Oct. 1
9:00a – Camps open
9:00a – Church service
2:00p – Civil War Battle
5:00p – Camps close
How to Get There
Old Hawley Farm
1173 Hawley Road
Blountville, TN 37617
*From Interstate 81, take Exit 63 onto Hwy. 357 for 2 miles toward the Airport. Just before the Airport, exit right and turn left onto State Route 75. Continue for .7 mile, then turn right onto Muddy Creek Rd. Continue for 1.2 miles and turn left onto Hawley Rd. Go .3 mile to event site.
