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This Day in Civil War History June 5, 1862 Battle of Memphis
historychannel.com ^ | 6/6/05 | historychannel.com

Posted on 06/06/2005 4:37:35 AM PDT by mainepatsfan

This Day In History | Civil War

June 6

1862 Battle of Memphis

On this day, the Union claims Memphis, Tennessee, the Confederacy's fifth-largest city, a naval manufacturing yard, and a key Southern industrial center.

One of the top priorities for Union commanders at the start of the war was to sever the Confederacy along the Mississippi. In April 1862, the Union scored major victories toward this goal with the capture of New Orleans in the south and the fall of Island No. 10 in the north.

For seven weeks following the defeat of Island No. 10, Yankee ships pounded away at Fort Pillow, 40 miles north of Memphis. On June 4, a Rebel garrison abandoned the fort after Confederate troops withdrew from Corinth, Mississippi, leaving them dangerously isolated in Union-held territory. The next day, the Union flotilla steamed to Memphis unopposed. The city had no fortifications, because the Confederates had directed their resources toward strengthening the installation upriver. All that stood between the Yankees and Memphis was a Rebel fleet of eight ships.

On the morning of June 6, thousands of residents lined the shores to watch the action. Three Confederate ships were rammed and sunk, and one Union ship was struck and severely damaged. Union guns aboard the other ships began a devastating barrage that destroyed all but one of the Confederate vessels. The Rebel fleet was decimated with only four Union casualties and one damaged ship.

(Excerpt) Read more at historychannel.com ...


TOPICS: History
KEYWORDS: civilwar; dixie; memphis
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1 posted on 06/06/2005 4:37:36 AM PDT by mainepatsfan
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To: mainepatsfan
MPF, I live in Memphis and this is history. There are some county commissioners here that are trying to erase all vestiges of our Confederate past. There are a couple of parks they want to rename because of the perceived racist connections. One, Nathan Bedford Forrest Park, because of his KKK connection. Forrest and his wife are buried there. We can't have that link to history to be allowed to exist under that name. Another, Confederate Park, for no other reason than the name. But there won't be any remembrances for this day in Memphis history. Just way to racist for this town. So very sad. In three years, my wife and I are going to escape this insanity.
2 posted on 06/06/2005 6:47:03 AM PDT by NCC-1701 (AN ACTIVIST JUDICIARY IS A CULT!!!!! IT MUST BE ERADICATED FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH.)
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To: NCC-1701

Good for you.

Welcome to the new Reconstruction.


3 posted on 06/06/2005 6:49:29 AM PDT by wardaddy
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To: NCC-1701

Do they have anything in the city commemorating the battle?


4 posted on 06/06/2005 7:04:03 AM PDT by mainepatsfan
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To: wardaddy; NCC-1701

bttt


5 posted on 06/06/2005 7:05:45 AM PDT by stainlessbanner
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To: mainepatsfan; stainlessbanner

Here in Nashville, the battle has been overrun by sprawl.

They have some plaques (that need tending) and one memorial (to both sides).

Franklin and Murfreesboro nearby have quite a bit. Murfreesboro has a Federal Military park.

I think that my generation as a mid-late boomer are probably the last instilled to care.


6 posted on 06/06/2005 7:13:10 AM PDT by wardaddy
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To: mainepatsfan

Not no, but HE#@ NO! In a city that abhors the very site of the Confederate Flag, there's no way that any publc memorial for a Civil war battle is going to happen. Any and everything done in this town is predicated by race. And with that mindset, you'd have to go to Vicksburg, Chattanooga, or Shiloh to see a re-enactment of a Civil War battle. It just doesn't happen in a public forum here.


7 posted on 06/06/2005 7:19:33 AM PDT by NCC-1701 (AN ACTIVIST JUDICIARY IS A CULT!!!!! IT MUST BE ERADICATED FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH.)
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To: wardaddy
I think that my generation as a mid-late boomer are probably the last instilled to care.

Sadly, I concur. Most of the folks in their 20s-30s could care less. They are programmed that way: be ashamed of your past, carry guilt, remove all symbols, plaques, markers, flags, memorials that are deemed offensive by others.

8 posted on 06/06/2005 7:21:34 AM PDT by stainlessbanner
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To: wardaddy

I saw a show on those battles and they pointed out how much of the battlefield had been overrun. Tragic.


9 posted on 06/06/2005 9:35:29 AM PDT by mainepatsfan
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To: NCC-1701

I guess they're not interested in tourism.


10 posted on 06/06/2005 9:37:30 AM PDT by mainepatsfan
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To: mainepatsfan

It's very discouraging living here now.


11 posted on 06/06/2005 9:42:03 AM PDT by NCC-1701 (AN ACTIVIST JUDICIARY IS A CULT!!!!! IT MUST BE ERADICATED FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH.)
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To: NCC-1701

Anyone who would buckle under pressure and take away what those brave men on both sides gave for each other's cause, ought to be shamed out of the country. Look at where we were then and where we are now. Revisionists and the PC crowd are slowly erasing our history and our silence is giving them all the ammo they need. I think it's time for another Civil War..........a war of wills and determination to make sure our history is left in tact regardless of how unpleasant it may feel to some. Get over it people!


12 posted on 06/06/2005 9:51:41 AM PDT by Dawgreg (Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.)
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To: Dawgreg

That's what we here need to tell this black dim pol that wants to rename the two parks I mentioned. He's always against doing the right thing AND for raising taxes. History is history, good or bad. And I agree with you that peolple are wound tooooo tightly. Deal with the past, learn from the past, but get over it. There are more important issues to deal with. Get on with dealing with them.


13 posted on 06/06/2005 9:57:39 AM PDT by NCC-1701 (AN ACTIVIST JUDICIARY IS A CULT!!!!! IT MUST BE ERADICATED FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH.)
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To: NCC-1701

Someone ought to ask this ungrateful moron where he was (or his family)hmmm, say 45 to 45 years ago. His chances of being an elected official were slim to none. Amazing how some don't or won't appreciate what they have NOW as opposed to what they DIDN'T have not too many years ago. Some people are just ungrateful belly-achers and opportunists who NEED to be "un-elected" or told to shut the hell up!


14 posted on 06/06/2005 10:21:44 AM PDT by Dawgreg (Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.)
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To: Dawgreg
Interesting you should bring up the electoral process. This commissioner, along with two others of like persuasion, have filed a lawsuit to go against what 81% of voters have approved. That would be the issue of term limits. Two years ago, the voters were asked in a referendum do you want term limits or not. 81% voted yes. These three clowns didn't like that so they filed their suit. The leader of the pack said that the wording left open a loophole that was ambiguous and would allow them to run ad infinitum. His term is up next year and has said he fully intends to run again. I hope people around here remembers their arrogance and enforces our own version of term limits and votes their sorry a*#es out. They couldn't contest that. You're right. They OUGHT to be grateful for having had the chance to run for political office and scam the public at will. We ought to have the right to get rid of them. With the 81% vote, that should be enough to show these pricks the door and tell them to STFU. Voters have spoken. Listen to the voters. For once in your miserable lives.
15 posted on 06/06/2005 11:26:01 AM PDT by NCC-1701 (AN ACTIVIST JUDICIARY IS A CULT!!!!! IT MUST BE ERADICATED FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH.)
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To: wardaddy

Ft. Negley has just been reopened in Nashville this year. according to an rticle in the Tenneseean sent by my sister.


16 posted on 06/06/2005 5:21:49 PM PDT by AntiBurr ("Ceterum censeo Islam esse delendam " with apologies to Cato)
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To: wardaddy

Ft. Negley has just been reopened in Nashville this year. according to an rticle in the Tenneseean sent by my sister.


17 posted on 06/06/2005 5:23:59 PM PDT by AntiBurr ("Ceterum censeo Islam esse delendam " with apologies to Cato)
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To: AntiBurr

Yes.

A celebrated Yankee fort...lol

It's on a nice knob overlooking downtown off 8th ave South.


18 posted on 06/06/2005 5:47:58 PM PDT by wardaddy
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To: NCC-1701; vetvetdoug
"Not no, but HE#@ NO!"

Only a few years ago there was a large one at Shelby Farms, I think that was the name of the place.

19 posted on 06/06/2005 5:53:33 PM PDT by Inge_CAV
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To: Inge_CAV

It's still there and still known as Shelby Farms. It's one of the FEW things this city can crow about. Very well maintained and a beautiful place to go. An oasis in the middle of a cesspool of corupt politics and racial strife.

Happy Battle of Memphis Anniverasry Day.


20 posted on 06/06/2005 6:00:04 PM PDT by NCC-1701 (AN ACTIVIST JUDICIARY IS A CULT!!!!! IT MUST BE ERADICATED FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH.)
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