Griffin Hamstead

NHD Process Paper 2013

The East Tennessee Campaign: Knoxville I chose my topic because I have always been interested in the Civil War. I wanted to choose a topic where I would be able to find plenty of primary sources. Since this is a local topic I knew I would be able to conduct good research and find those primary sources I was seeking. I knew enough background info about my topic to know that it was a turning point in the Civil War. I was intrigued and excited to see what I could uncover and discover about my topic on this adventure I was about to take back in time. I conducted my research in steps, taking bites at a time. I spent two days researching in my school library before winter break. Then, during break, I made two visits to the East Tennessee Historical Society. On the first visit I spent a good deal of time researching in the McClung Collections and taking advantage of the great local resources there. I also took several pictures that day, and visited the McClung Museum. On the second visit I met and interviewed with William Hardy, a historian there. In between the two visits I checked out several books and a video, which I studied. I spent another day in the school library after returning to school. I also interviewed several people via email. After the state competition I revisited the McClung Collections seeking more primary sources, and was not disappointed. I chose to present my information in a website because I have a history of building websites and knew it would be a project I would feel comfortable and confident creating. I also thought that the use of images and quotes in a website would be the best support for my thesis. I felt that a website was the best option for my project. The East Tennessee Campaign is a turning point in the course of the Civil War. Winning Fort Sanders, controlling the railroad supply lines, and the victory in Chattanooga shifted the momentum towards the Union, and the Confederates would never recover. The Battle of Fort Sanders was the climax of the 1863 Siege of Knoxville. Confederate General James Longstreet led his men into Knoxville, Tennessee against the Union forces of Ambrose Burnside during a brutally cold November. It was one of the most important victories for the Union during the East Tennessee Campaign, a major factor in the outcome of the Civil War. This project relates to the NHD theme Turning Points in History: People, Ideas, Events because East Tennessee, and the Union Campaign to recapture it, had a major impact on the Civil War. The Battle of Fort Sanders is not only a strategic and military turning point; it was also a mental and physical turning point for the Confederacy and Union. Both the commanding generals involved in the battle saw turning points in their own personal struggles, as well as the literal war they were fighting.