Historical Marker

Welcome to Fort Waverly & The Humphreys County and Civil War Museum

Historical marker location:
201 Fort Hill Rd, Waverly, Tennessee
( Marker can be reached from Fort Hill Road, 0.2 miles east of South Church Street (Tennessee Route 13), on the right when traveling east.)

  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.

Audiobooks about the history of Tennessee.
The Great Train Robbery of 1866, one of the most famous train robberies in American history, took place in Tennessee. A group of Confederate veterans stole $90,000 from a train traveling from Nashville to Chattanooga.
Tennessee random facts
Humphreys County, Tennessee is located in the central part of the state and has a rich and diverse history. The area that is now Humphreys County was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, such as the Chickasaw and Cherokee, who used the land for hunting and fishing.

European settlers began to arrive in the late 18th century, and the county was officially established in 1809. It was named after Parry Wayne Humphreys, a judge and congressman from Tennessee. The early economy of Humphreys County was primarily based on agriculture, with crops such as cotton, tobacco, and corn being grown on the fertile lands along the Tennessee River.

During the American Civil War, Humphreys County was divided, with some residents supporting the Union and others supporting the Confederacy. The county saw several skirmishes and raids, but major battles were not fought in the area. After the war, the economy of Humphreys County struggled, but rebounded in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the development of industries such as lumber, mining, and manufacturing.

In the 20th century, agriculture remained an important part of the local economy, with the introduction of soybeans and the growth of the poultry industry. The construction of the Kentucky Dam on the Tennessee River in the 1940s also brought economic benefits to the county, as it provided flood control, electricity, and recreational opportunities. Today, Humphreys County continues to thrive as a rural community with a diverse economy, including agriculture, industry, and tourism.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Humphreys County, Tennessee.

  • 1809 - Humphreys County was established on October 19.
  • 1823 - The first county seat was established in Reynoldsburg.
  • 1830 - The county seat was moved to Johnsonville.
  • 1864 - During the Civil War, the Battle of Johnsonville took place in Humphreys County.
  • 1870 - The county seat was moved again to Waverly, where it remains today.
  • 1900s - Agriculture, timber, and coal mining were major industries in the county.
  • 1944 - The Tennessee Valley Authority began construction of Kentucky Dam on the Tennessee River, providing electricity and flood control.
  • 1963 - The completion of Interstate 40 through Humphreys County improved transportation and brought growth to the area.
  • 2000s - The county continues to develop and expand, with a focus on tourism and outdoor recreation.