Historical Marker

Decatur and The Civil War in North Alabama

Historical marker location:
Decatur, Alabama
( Marker is on Bank Street Northeast north of Church Street Northeast, on the left when traveling north.)

“A Hard Nut To Crack”. The Battle For Decatur

  A brief timeline of the Civil War

  • April 12, 1861: The Civil War begins with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, located in South Carolina's Charleston Harbor.

  • April 15, 1861: President Abraham Lincoln issues a call for 75,000 volunteers to serve in the Union Army to suppress the rebellion.

  • May 24, 1861: The first major land battle, known as the First Battle of Bull Run (or First Battle of Manassas), takes place in Virginia. It ends in Confederate victory.

  • September 17, 1862: The Battle of Antietam in Maryland becomes the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with heavy casualties on both sides. The Union forces, commanded by General George McClellan, manage to halt Confederate General Robert E. Lee's advance into Union territory.

  • January 1, 1863: President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all slaves in Confederate-held territories are to be set free. However, the proclamation does not immediately free all slaves in the United States.

  • July 1-3, 1863: The Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania takes place, resulting in a significant Union victory and inflicting heavy casualties on Confederate forces. It marks a turning point in the war.

  • November 19, 1863: President Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address, emphasizing the principles of liberty, equality, and the preservation of the Union.

  • April 9, 1865: General Robert E. Lee surrenders to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, effectively ending the Civil War.

  • April 14, 1865: President Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.

  • May 10, 1865: Confederate President Jefferson Davis is captured, signaling the collapse of the Confederate government.

  • December 6, 1865: The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, officially abolishing slavery throughout the country.

While this timeline provides an overview of key events, it is important to note that the Civil War spanned over four years, from 1861 to 1865, and encompassed numerous battles, campaigns, and political developments that shaped the course of American history.

Alabama is home to several important civil rights landmarks, including the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, which was the site of a deadly bombing in 1963, and the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, which was the site of the "Bloody Sunday" confrontation between civil rights marchers and state troopers in 1965.
Alabama random facts
Morgan County, Alabama has a rich and diverse history that stretches back thousands of years. The area was once home to Native American tribes, including the Cherokee and Creek, who utilized the ample natural resources of the Tennessee River Valley. European settlers arrived in the late 18th century, with the city of Decatur being founded in 1820.

During the Civil War, Morgan County played a significant role as it was strategically located along the Tennessee River. The Battle of Decatur in October 1864 saw Union forces successfully repel Confederate attacks and secure the city. The river also allowed for the transportation of troops and supplies, making it a crucial area for both sides throughout the war.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the agricultural industry, particularly cotton farming, boomed in Morgan County. The region's fertile soil and access to the Tennessee River made it an ideal location for agriculture. With the construction of railroads in the late 1800s, Decatur became an important transportation hub, further driving economic growth.

In the 20th century, the development of Redstone Arsenal near Huntsville brought a significant military presence to Morgan County. The arsenal was initially established as a chemical weapons facility but later transitioned into a center for rocket research and development, with the formation of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. This marked the beginning of the area's transformation into a leading center for aerospace and technology, which continues to drive the local economy today.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Morgan County, Alabama.

  • 1818: Morgan County, Alabama is established.
  • 1821: Decatur is named the county seat of Morgan County.
  • 1832-1833: The relocation of the county seat from Somerville to Decatur is completed.
  • Early 1860s: Morgan County becomes a center of Confederate military activity during the American Civil War.
  • 1870s: Railroads are built in Morgan County, leading to increased industrialization and economic growth.
  • 1887: Trinity, a small town in Morgan County, is incorporated.
  • 1901-1903: Decatur's public utilities are established, including waterworks and electric lighting.
  • 1941: Wheeler Dam is completed on the Tennessee River, bringing hydroelectric power and a boost to the local economy.
  • 1956: The Huntsville-Decatur Area becomes a hub for the growing aerospace industry, with NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and the Redstone Arsenal being established nearby.
  • 1990s: Morgan County experiences significant growth in industries such as manufacturing, automotive, and distribution.
  • 2011: Morgan County celebrates its bicentennial anniversary.