Manchester in Coffee County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
June 24-July 4, 1862
—The Confederate War Industry —
When the war began it 1861 the South faced blockade and invasion. Already inferior to the North in manufacturing resources, the Confederacy nonetheless became self-sufficient in arms production by 1863. Prewar industrial centers like Richmond, Virginia expanded during the war, while a series of new factory towns sprang up, including Selma, Alabama and Macon, Georgia.
Intent on joining the war effort, Manchester native W.S. Whiteman built a powder mill near Old Stone Fort on the Barren Fork of the Duck River, joining other manufacturing facilities. Alexis Cope, a soldier with the 15th Ohio Infantry, noted that “near our camp were several large mills and factories, the power being furnished by the falls in the river, which were an interesting sight, and furnished excellent bathing facilities to the men.” These manufacturing establishments were destroyed by the Federal army.
Benjamin Franklin Cheatham
Born and raised near Nashville, Benjamin Franklin Cheatham was one the western
Sam Watkins of the 1st Tennessee, remembered Cheatham’s courage at Stones River, a battle where Bragg accused his corps commander of being drunk on the field. He “was leading the charge in person,” said Watkins. “Then it was that I saw the power of one man, born to command, over a multitude of men than almost routed and demoralized. I saw and felt that he was not fighting for glory, but that he was fighting for his country…and he was willing to give his life for the country and the success of our cause.”
After the war, Cheatham married and settled near Noah, just a few miles north of here. He became notable as an advocate of scientific farming, and experimented with different animal breeds and crops. In 1872, he ran for Congress (unsuccessfully). Before his death in 1886 he moved to Nashville where he served as state prison superintendent and Postmaster for the city.
(upper right) An unknown Southern munitions
(center) Captured Confederate cannons at Chattanooga made at Southern foundries.
Erected by Tennessee's Backroads Heritage.
Location. 35° 28.985′ N, 86° 5.34′ W. Marker is in Manchester, Tennessee, in Coffee County. Marker is at the intersection of West Main Street and North Irwin Street, on the right when traveling west on West Main Street. Click for map. The marker is on the grounds of the Coffee County Courthouse. Marker is in this post office area: Manchester TN 37355, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Tullahoma Campaign (here, next to this marker); Corporal Brian James Schoff (within shouting distance of this marker); The Civilian Conservaton Corps (within shouting distance of this marker); Experiment in Armor (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pioneer Armored Maneuvers (approx. 0.4 miles away); Old Stone Fort (approx. 0.6 miles away); Granny Hickerson Cemetery (approx. 1.7 miles away); General Henry H. "Hap" Arnold (approx. 5.5 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Manchester.
Categories. • Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil •
Credits. This page originally submitted on , by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Md 21234. This page has been viewed 304 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on , by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Md 21234. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016.