Many of you may know the origins of the name Union County; although there are two possibilities. The first explanation is based on the "union" of land from the 5 surrounding counties: Knox, Grainger, Claiborne, Campbell and Anderson. The second is based on the area's support for remaining in the United States during the secession crises in the 1850's, the decade of formation of our county. Perhaps, it is a mixture of both.

While many would like to believe that Tennessee and Union County were solidly Confederate, records clearly show that far more men from here joined Federal Regiments than C.S.A. Regiments. That's not to say that all Union Countians were anti-secession, because many served the Confederate Army. However, more than twice as many served in the Union Army.

The striking thing that stands out to me is how many Union Countians served in cavalry regiments. This obviously indicates an abundance of love for and skill with horses. Men from Union County served in many Southern cavalry regiments, most notably: 1st Tn. Cav., 2nd Tn. Cav., 4th Tn. Cav., 7th Tn. Cav. and 8th Tn. Cav. A full two-thirds of all Union County Confederates were mounted. The most notable Confederate infantry units were the 37th Tn. and 63rd Tn., both represented by modern reenacting regiments.

East Tennessee's Federal Regiments enlisting men, sometimes going to Kentucky to sign up, included: 1st Tn. Inf., 2nd Tn. Inf., 3rd Tn. Inf., 8th Tn. Inf., 9th Tn. Cav., 12th Tn., Cav. 7th Mounted Inf. and 1st Light Artillery. Most men from Union County joined the 1st Tn. Federal Infantry Regiment, showing an eagerness to join, being the first to be organized and commissioned.

Families tended to side with either army based on a wide variety of reasons. I'm sure that such decisions were complex and often gut-wrenching, running from economic motives to reasons of religion and loyalty. The Civil War often presents us with stories of families fighting each other- brother versus brother. For whatever reason a man or family sided with the Union or Confederates, Union County families tended to follow one anothers' kin. Common Union County names associated with Confederate support were the Burnett, Chesney, Donehew, Hurst, Monroe, Needham and Yadon families. Common Union County names associated with Federal support were the Acuff {my paternal line}, Bailey, Beeler, Booker, Branson, Bridges, Brock, Coram, Ellison, Graves, Hill, Keller, Kitts, Meltabarger, Mize, Nelson, Oaks, Peters, Sharp, Smith, Snodderly, Stiner and Wyrick families. While these families were associated with a specific side, it doesn't mean that a family member didn't fight against their relatives' politics. In fact, there are as many Civil War veterans on both sides for the Dyers, Hickles and Millers.

I have ancestors from the newly-formed county that fought on both sides of the Civil War. These ancestors of mine offer a look at division, but also, hope of reconciliation. My 3rd great-grandfathers, both from Sharps Chapel, fought on separate sides. Berry Shoffner was in the 8th Tn. Federal Cavalry and James Marshall Seal {also Seals} rode with the 1st Tn. Cavalry, C.S.A.. Their reconciliation comes from the marriage of their children, Hiram Shoffner to Martha Seals.

Most of us have heard the saying, "to the victor go the spoils." Berry Shoffner's side won, and they got to parade. In 1866, the year after the Civil War ended, The Grand Army of the Republic paraded, including the G.A.R. Union County Posts. During this victory march, Berry carried a G.A.R. celebratory flag and a Confederate flag of the 1st Tennessee. I'm not sure if this Confederate flag was captured or presented, but I'd like to think it was a conscious point of reconciliation. These two flags are key pieces in the Union County History Museum and fill me with pride when I see them. I joked with Carrie Shoffner Edds, also Berry Shoffner's descendant, that I played with the G.A.R. flag as a child, not knowing its' value. It is a little worn! Stop by the museum and have a look at them. They're worth a visit!