Johnsonville Supply Depot
Not more than a mile from Nellie's slip is Johnsonville, the site of an 1864 Union Army supply depot. Bicki and I both spent several years as 'loggies'--military logisticians--and it's interesting to see that not much has changed, an army still runs on its stomach.
Johnsonville Today
What is interesting is to see the strategic role the Tennessee River played in the war. Since the Confederates couldn't defend it, the Union used the Tennessee as a Logistics highway. It all but assured the Union victories at Shilo, Nashville, Chattanooga, and Knoxville. A dagger in the heart of the Confederacy the river has been called. Denied this highway, the Confederates were forced to move their materiel over miserable back roads, a slow and tedious process.
The two pictures above, taken 162 years apart, but otherwise similarly composed, show how much the TVA dams have widened the Tennessee. Today it's 1.6 miles wide, in 1864 it might have been a quarter of that.
Follow the Moss Trail
Pepe Won't Develop Odor Glands Until 6 Weeks
Spring Flowers Yield to Summer Lichens
Johnsonville as Seen by Confederate Artillery Position on Pilot Knob
In November of 1864 Johnsonville was bombarded and set ablaze by Confederate Major General Forrest. Destroyed were between $2M and $6M of Union Supplies. Both Johnsonville and the area the Confederates launched their attack from are now State Parks.
Still at Pebble Isle Marina, Tennessee. No miles today and holding at 2,719 miles for the journey. DBH
