Baptists and the American Civil War: June 7, 1862

Kentucky Tennessee MapWhile Virginians rejoice over the halt of U.S. General George B. McClellan’s advance upon Richmond, the mood of Confederates in Tennessee is dark and brooding.

While Memphis residents wake up under United States occupation, Union general James S. Negley celebrates a smaller but notable victory over a notorious Tennessee rebel. Confederate Captain A. D. Trimble, pastor of the Missionary Baptist Church in Winchester, for months has been harassing Union forces with a small band of guerrillas. This week the elusive rebel is finally apprehended.

Trimble is eventually released, and returns to Winchester a less offensive parson. However, the Union hunt for rebel guerrillas in Tennessee, Baptists or otherwise, continues throughout the war.

Source: “Capture of ‘the Fighting Baptist Preacher,” letter from Maj. Gen. O. M. Mitchel to Gen. Don Carlos Buell, June 4, 1862, Official Record of the War of the Rebellion (link); James S. Negley bio (link)