Saltpeter Workers of Hodsden Cave

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SALTPETER WORKERS OF HODSDEN CAVE

Marion O07" Smith

In April, 1862, to increase the production of saltpeter, the main ingredient
of gunpowder, the Confederate Congress created the Nitre Bureau. Within a short
time the South was divided into districts, and superintendents were assigned to
each. Robert H. Temple of Virginia was sent to Knoxville to oversee District No.
7, composed of "Monroe, Roane, Cumberland and White counties, and all nitre
counties North and East." Soon, with the aid of various assistant superintendents
and agents, he began to contract with private individuals for saltpeter, or sought
to mine it by the direct supervision of the Bureau. Dirt from either natural
caves or from underneath old buildings was leached in hoppers to obtain "cave
saltpeter" or calcium nitrate, Leach water from wood ashes was put with it and
potassium nitrate or "grou" saltpeter was formed. This was boiled, dried, packed,
and sent to a refinery, and ultimately to a powder mill, where it was combined
with sulphur and charcoal to make powder ,1

Although there were numerous private saltpeter contractors in District No. 7,
only three Nitre Bureau operations in that district are now known: Porter's Cave,
county unspecified, Drake's Cave, Carter County, and Hodsden Cave, Sevier County. 2
For each of these government caves one or more payrolls of workers have survived,
giving the names of employees for specific months. No wartime document describes
these caves, or provides a narrative about the mining done at any of them. How-
ever, a study of payroll names can sometimes lead to general conclusions about the
location of a cave, the owner's name, the length of time it was worked, the true
political allegiance of the laborers, and the amount of saltpeter produced. Al-
though little is known about all three of the government caves, a study was made
of the Hodsden Cave workers, with the hope that by learning about the individuals
associated with the cave, more would be learned about the cave itself.

It is often difficult to correlate a Civil War saltpeter cave with a currently

known cave. The 1860's name is seldom still in use today. Ihe exact Location of

Hodsden Cave, therefore, is not definitely known. However, the 1860 census listed
only one family in Tennessee with that surname, headed by R. H., a Sevier County
physician claiming $28,700 real estate and $23,390 personal property. Virginia-
born Robert Hatton Hodsden (November 23, 1806-June 18, 1864) owned considerable
acreage in the 2nd, 4th, 5th, and other civil districts of Sevier County, including
near Middle Creek and the Big East Fork of the Little Pigeon River, plus another
tract in Rhea County. Hodsden married Mary, a daughter of John Brabson, and both,
along with several children, are buried in Brabson Cemetery above the French Broad
River near Boyd's Creek. There is little doubt that Dr. Hodsden owned Hodsden
Cave, since in July, 1862, he was paid by the Nitre Bureau for '6 days hire of a
Team @ g200" and $37.65 for twelve bushels of corn, two bushels of peas, 1,400
pounds of hay, and forty five and a half candles.?

Dr. Hodsden's house, Rose Glen, is about 3.5 miles east of Sevierville, and in
that vicinity there are at least six known caves. Five of these are to the east
of the Doctor's house, up to 1.8 miles away, and range from 25 to 150 feet in length.
The longest is too wet and the others, including the two at Arch Rock, are too small
to have been mined. The sixth cave, some six-tenths of a mile northwest of Hodsden's
home, is East Fork River Cave, the largest in the area. It is about 350 feet long,
with a small stream flowing through it. The main twelve by twelve foot entrance is
the resurgence, while the insurgence entrance is a stoop height climb-down. A
through trip necessitates doing a short crawl near the smaller entrance. About half
way, at one side of the stream, is a high, dry area some thirty by eight feet, which
looks like it has been disturbed by man, although there are no obvious pick or mattox
marks. No dirt deposits are now present, nor does it appear if there ever were sub-
Stantial amounts. But the wall has at least one smoked area, indicating that a
small torch had been. stuck ina crevice tor a lieht.: The local tradition that this

cave was owned by Dr. Hodsden and was mined for saltpeter is supported by the cir-

cumstantial evidence presented in this paper,’

The Nitre Bureau payrolls for Hodsden Cave are:
JULY) EOG2
NAME OCCUPATION TIME EMPLOYED RATE OF PAY

Jonn R Moor carpenter 1 Mo
Thos Wark do 15 days

AMOUNT
$80 Mo $80.00
$2 day $30.00

Wm Rainey
Tho® Bryant
G C Langford
G W Richards

E Romines

A Cannatzer
George Rice
John W Weaver

Marion Patterson

Fred Emert

A Henderson
Geo House

John Manus
John K Tedford
Josiah Ellison
Mitchel Manus
Robt MCNabb

A Allen

Tho Maples
Brumitt Rose
Jacob Fann
Harmon Dornbush
A J Kelly

Joel Randal

W" Riley
Anderson Henry
Henson Brown
John D Riley
Isaac Stinnett
Geo Henry

Bit Vinker
Jackson Miller
Phillip Emert
Hannah Perryman
Sarah Rice

do
do
do
do

i/
Ly
ZL
2 ie.

ll days

lis
18
16
121/3
10

26
183/4
8h;
1°

9
31/3
134
3/4
73/4
8%;
173/4
61/3
7

1’
324
61/3
61/3
Qh,

3

315
ot /3
5%
12

30
s,

do
do
do
do

AUGUST, 1862

do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
50¢
do

Sl day

day

$34.00
$34.00
$42.00
$30.00

$11.00
$11.50
$18.00
$16.00
e172 233
$10.00
$26.00
$18.75
$8.25
O17 00
$9.00
64133
$13.50
$0.75
S705
$8.25
S14.95
$6.33
$17.00
$1.50
$3.25
$6.33
66.33
$9.25
$3.00
$3.50
£9 33
$5.25
612,00
$15.00
$9 550°

All six of the July laborers signed the roll by the amount of their pay, but only
five of the August laborers, John W. Weaver, Fred and Phillip Emert, John K. Ted-
ford, and Jacob Fann, wrote their names.

All the others signed with an "X,"

witnessed by Samuel B. Henderson (cal828-f£11878), a former Sevierville merchant

who was a Nitre Bureau agent. Henderson in the mid-1850's had married Sarah
(Sallie) S., a daughter of Robert H. Hodsden,©®
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, HODSDEN CAVE EMPLOYEES

some sort of data for twenty-nine of the thirty-seven Hodsden Cave workers has
been located. In one or two cases, a great deal of information has been obtained,
but in other cases, where two or more people had the same name, thereby obscuring
the "correct" person, intelligence about each of the possibles is presented. For
some, more information could be amassed, particularily from 1880 and later censuses
and pension records. In the following sketches internal footnotes have been used.
If a birth place is not given, it can be assumed the subject was a native Tennes-
sean. A "fl" date means that the person was "flourishing" or still alive during
the year presented.

A. Allen may have been Absalom Alen (b. cal835) or Absalom R. Allen (August 26,
1812-December 30, 1897), both Sevier County farmers, or Alexander Allen (b. ca
1833), a Cocke County laborer. A private in Company K, 2nd Tennessee Cavalry, USA,
Absolem Allen, may have been the same as Absalom Alen. He was a farmer, born in
Sevier County, who was aged thirty when he enlisted at Lexington, Kentucky, Octo-
ber 16, 1862. : He died in a hospital at Kineston, Tennessee, January 15, 1864.

1860 Census, Tenn,,; Sevier, 2nd Diet. ., 29: aed Dist., 56% Cocke, 8th Dist:i; 229:
Absalom R. Allen data from Helen M. Allen, P.O. Box 4453, Sevierville, Tennessee

37864, October 17, 1988; Compiled Service Records, Record Group 94, National
Archives.

Thomas Bryant (b. cal836) was probably the "Farm hand" son of Thomas Bryant, Sr.
In August, 1862, he was a carpenter at Drake's Cave, 1860 Census, Tenn., Sevier,
8th Dist., 49; Confederate Payrolls, Record Group 109, National Archives.

A. Cannatzer could have been one of three Sevier County residents: Amas (b. ca
1831), a farm laborer; Andrew (cal833-f£11880), a farmer; or Absalom (b. cal844),
a son of Delila Canatser. Andrew's political proclivity may be deduced from the
fact that a son born during the war was named Lincoln. 1860 Census, Tenn., Sevier,
3rd Dist... 595 4th Diet... Ge: Cig/0 >. fun Glew. | 16s) ee) | 4h Diet... 12.

Harman Dornbush (cal841-1862), a farmer born in Sevier County, enlisted Septem-
ber 16, 1862, as a private in Company E, 2nd Tennessee Cavalry, USA. He died in a
Louisville, Kentucky, hospital the following December 19, of a "Disease not known."
CSR, RG94, NA.

Josiah Ellison (cal837-f£11870) was a Jefferson County laborer who moved to Sevier
County. 1860 Census, Tenn., Jetferson, 34): (1870), Sevier, 5th Dist,, 19.

The most likely candidates for Fred and Phillip Emert are the Emerts who lived
near Harrisburg. These included two farmers named Philip, one born cal834, and

FBI

another whose birthday was not given who was the father of Frederick (Boal a5).
The former Philip may be Philip S. Emert (b. cal835), a Sevier native and farmer
who enlisted November 8, 1862, in Company M, 2nd Tennessee Cavalry, USA, and died
at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, March 12, 1863. The latter Philip was probably Phillip
R. Emert (December 16, 1814-January 7, 1890), who is buried in Campground Cemetery,
Blount County. Further complicating matters are two more military records and the
fact that Caleb Emert (b. cal826) of the 6th District had a son named Frederick

(b. cal849),. Philip J. M. Emert (b. cal838), a Blount native and farmer, joined
Company B, 2nd Tennessee Cavalry, USA, at Sevierville September LS, 1862, and died
of reubella in a Nashville hospital January 2, 1863. Frederick S$. Emert (September
26, 1826-April 29, 1896), a farmer, native and resident of Blount County, also en-
listed September 15, 1862, at Sevierville in Company B, 2nd Tennessee Cavalry, USA.
He was captured at Paint Rock Bridge, Jackson County, Alabama, December 31, 1864,
and paroled at Vicksburg, Mississippi, April 21, 1865. Six days later he survived
the steamboat Sultana disaster, and on June 23, 1865, was mustered out at Camp
Chase, Ohio. He was a brother of Phillip R. and is buried in Middle Creek Cemetery,
sevier County. 1660 Censts, Tean.. Sevier) 4th Dist...) 76, G7: 6th Dist.,; 7: CSR,
RG94, NA; Phillip R. and Frederick S. Emert data supplied by Helen M. Allen, P.O.
Box 4453, Sevierville, Tennessee 37984, October 17, 1988.

A. Henderson was probably one of the following: Andrew (January 13, 1818-February
23, 1897), a farmer buried in Shiloh Cemetery near Sevierville; Andrew (May 29,
1842-May 15, 1905), buried in Alderbranch Cemetery; or Albert Clay (July 30, 1845-
October 30, 1914), a brother of Samuel B. Henderson, the saltpeter agent. A. C.

Was a' private in the 19th Tennessee Infantry, CSA, July 8, 1861-July 22, 1662, and

in Company K, 2nd (Ashby's) Tennessee Cavalry, CSA, June 1, 1863-May, 1865. Cap-
tured near Shelbyville, Tennessee, October 12, 1863, he was held prisoner of war at
Camp Morton, Indiana, and Fort Delaware, Delaware, until he was exchanged February
27, 1865. Surrendering near Salisbury, North Carolina, he eventually worked a
hundred acre farm at Louisville, Blount County, Tennessee. Tombstone inscriptions,
Shiloh and Alderbranch Cemeteries; 1860 Census, Tenn., Sevier, 5th Dist., 93; Genea-
logical chart supplied by Reba H. (Mrs. Ralph B.) Mitchell, 2546 Pleasant Grove

Road, SW, Cleveland, Tennessee 3/311, July 25, 1988; A. °C. Henderson (1,008). file,
Tennessee Confederate Pension Applications; CSR, RG109, NA,

Anderson Henry (cal841-May 8, 1863), a ''Farm hand" and son of Samuel Henry, was
born in Sevier County. On December 1, 1862, he became a private in Company D, 3rd
Tennessee Cavalry, USA, dying the following spring in General Hospital No. 4 at
Murfreesboro of “Erysipelas.” 1860 Cenaus, Tenn... Sevier, 6th Dist., 41; CSR, RG94,
NA.

Mississippi-born George Henry (b. cal837) was a "“Hireland" who before the war
worked on the Sevier farm of Calvin Derrick. He may have been the same man as
either George Henry (cal842-f£11890), who was a private in Company E, 2nd Tennessee
Cavalry, USA, September 16, 1862-July 6, 1865, or George W. Henty (cal837-April 27,
1865), who was a private in Company M, same regiment, both of whom were listed as
Sevier natives. The latter, who had been captured at Athens, Alabama, September 24,
1864, perished in the Mississippi River Sultana disaster after his release from
prisons 1860. Census, Tenn., Sevier, 3rd Dist. , 46: CSR, RG94, NA: Byron. and Barbara
Sistler, comps., 1890 Civil War Veterans Census--Tennessee (Evanston, I11.: Byron
Sistler and Associates, 1978), 142.

George House (cal843-f£11890), a Greene County native and farmer, enlisted at
Sevierville September 16, 1862, as a private in Company E, 2nd Tennessee Cavalry,
USA. He became the regiment's chief bugler December 22, 1863, and was mustered out

Fae

at Nashville July 6, 1865. CSR, RG94, NA; Sistler and Sistler, 1890 eeeuane Cankus 2
Tennessee, 154.

G. C. Langford in August, 1862, was a carpenter at Drake's Cave. He is possibly
George (b. cal845), a son of John C. and Rutha Langford of Claiborne County, who
may be the game as George C. Langford (cal842-cal886). The latter in the 1880's
lived in Knox County and worked as a carpenter, blacksmith, and finally as a pattern
maker at Knoxville Foundry and Machine Company. Confederate Payrolls, RG109, NA;
1360. ‘Census, Tetn., ‘Chatbornie, tith Sobdiv.. 275: (1880) Know, Pare of 12th Dist.’
36; Knoxville city directories (1882-88).

Robert McNabb (b. cal842) may be the "Factory Hand" living prior to the war in
Blount County. He may be the same as R. J. McNabb, who was a laborer at Porter's
Cave for 20% days in July and 133/4 days in August, 1862, and as Robert J. McNabb,
who on March 24, 1863, became a private at Knoxville in Company I, 37th Tennessee
Infantry, CSA, whose last record showed him "sick in hospital since Nov 10 1863."
R. J. McNabb was apparently also a saltpeter contractor, because between October
25, 1862, and February 26, 1863, he received pay for five deliveries of niter, rang-
ine’ from 13 to 29 pounds, 1860 Census, Ternn,, Blount, Tith Dist., 1;..Confederate
Payrolls, RG109, NA; CSR, RG1O9, NA; R. J. McNabb file, Confederate Papers Relating
to Citizens or Business Firms (Microcopy 346, Roll 642), Record Group 109, National
Archives.

Mitchel Manus [or Manis] (b. cal837) was a Sevier County day laborer before the
war. He is possibly the same person as Michael Manis, a Knox County native and
Sevier resident, who was a private in Company B, 2nd Tennessee Cavalry, USA, Septem-
ber 15, "1662," until July 6, LbO5, 1860 Cengue: Tenn, , Savier, S44 Diet... 71:-CSR,
RG94, NA.

Thomas Maples was either Thomas Maples, Jr. (cal826-f11870), or the son (b. ca
1846) of James Maples. . 2660 Cansus, Tenn,, Sevier, 4th Dist.,; 66; 7th Dist., 10/7;
(1G/G).. “4th Diet.) 17.

Jackson Miller was probably either a Campbell County farmer (b. cal820), or
a Jefferson County native (cal842-March 20, 1863) who became a private in Company
K, 2nd Tennessee Cavalry, USA, November 1, 1862, and died of typhoid fever. 1860
Census, Tenn., Campbell, 4th Dist., 5; CSR, RG94, NA.

John R. Moor was possibly the Greene County farmer (April 19, 1834-March 5,
1917) whose name was usually spelled with an "e." He first worked as a carpenter
in Nitre District No. 7 in May and June, 1862, “putting up hoppers Houses: &c at
[unspecified] Nitre Caves." The next month, when he was not at Hodsden Cave, he
helped build "hoppers &c for Drake Cave'' in Carter County. August through October,
1862, he was a master carpenter at the Nolichucky Lead Mine, Washington County,
and December 15, 1862, through April 23, 1863, he was a Nitre Bureau special agent
to procure mining implements. He last known wartime job was July, 1863, through
June, 1864, when he was an engineer at the Union or Wythe Lead Mine in Virginia,
at $125 and.$150 a month: 1860: Cencus, Tenn ., Greene, 23rd Dist.,; 201; Buford
Reynolds, comp., Greene County Cemeteries (n. p., 1971), 196; Confederate Payrolls,
RG1O9, NA; John R. Moor file, Citizens Papers, (4546, Roll 705), RGLOY,. NA.

Marion Patterson (b. cal832) was a North Carolina-born chairmaker from Blount
County. The Knox County man (b. cal829) listed in the 1880 census as a Tennessee-
born laborer may be the same person. 1860 Census, Tenn... Slount, lith Disty, 1;
(L880). Knox, dlen ‘Die, 7 /-

Hannah Perryman (b. cal820) was listed before the war as a "Spinster." She was
probably a cook at Hodsden Cave. 1860 Census, Tenn., Sevier, 3rd Dist., 49.

George W. Rice (April 1, 1833-April 5, 1912). a Cocke County native, was before
the war referred to as both a day Lobos and farmer. In mid-August, 1862, he
joined Company B, 2nd Tennessee Cavalry, USA, as a corporal. He was reduced to
private July 1, 1863, and mustered out July 6, 1865. In the Shadow of the Smokies:

Sevier County, Tennessee Cemeteries (Sevierville, 1984), 508; 1860 Census, Tenn.,
vevier, ord Dist., 34; CSR, KGS, NA,

Sarah Rice (b. cal788), a South Carolina-born "Washer woman,'' was apparently
George W.'s mother. She was probably also a cook at Hodsden Cave. 1860 Census,
Tenn, .) Sevier, 3raq Disc. , 44,

George W. Richards: (March 30, 1836-£11904), a native Sullivan County carpenter,
enlisted July 8, 1861, as a sergeant in Company K, 26th Tennessee Infantry, CSA.
Escaping from Fort Donelson when it was captured, he came home with the body of a
brother who had been killed. Soon afterwards he went to Knoxville and became a
carpenter for the Nitre Bureau. After working at Hodsden Cave, he was at Noli-
chucky Lead Mine near Embreeville, Tennessee, August-October, 1862, and January-
May, 1863. On July 18, 1863, he became a private in Captain James Witcher's com-
pany of Sullivan County reserves, and on April 30, 1864, he was promoted to 2nd
lieutenant in Company B, Sullivan County Detailed Conscripts. He apparently also
had a niter contract, and under the name 'G W Richards & Co,," on February 27 and
March 26, 1864, delivered respectively 64 and 200 pounds of saltpeter. For a time
he worked at the copper mines near Hillsville, Carroll County, Virginia. Then he
was "ordered back to Tenn... . as a recruiting officer," and soon afterwards, in
November, 1864, participated in the battle of Bulls Gap. After the war he became
a farmer and continued to live in Sullivan County. George W. Richards (6,128)
file, Tennessee Confederate Pension Applications; 1860 Census, Tenn., Sullivan,
loth Dist... 1253 (1680), 34: GSR, BGlO9. NA: Contederate Payvrotise, RGOLOO, NA; G W
Richards & Co, file, Citizens Papers (9346, Roll 855). RG1O9.: NA;

John D. Riley was probably John Dunklin Riley (cal842-July 22, 1863), who on
December 1, 1862, became a private in Company D, 3rd Tennessee Cavalry, USA. On
June 7, 1863, he was admitted to the Army of the Cumberland General Field Hospital

at Murfreesboro with erysiplas and died a few weeks later of chronic diarrhea.
CSR, RG94, NA.

William Riley (b. cal842) was a farm laborer after the war. 1870 Census, Tenn.,
yevier., 2nd Dish... id.

E. Romines was probably Ezekiel (Ezekel] Romines [ Rominds] (¢al1824-f11880), a
Sevier farm laborer. 1860 Census, Tonae “Sevier, 4th Dist.., 61; (1880), 3rd Dist.
aye

Brumitt Rose may be the Brummett Rose (b. cal843) who lived in Cocke County
before the war. A Brunett Rose enlisted August 7, 1862, at Greeneville as a private
in Company E, 16th Battalion (Neal's) Tennessee Cavalry, CSA, but "Deserted on or
about 1 Sept 1862.'' On September 22, 1862, Brumet Rose (b. cal842), a farmer born
in Cocke County, enlisted at Sevierville as a private in Company I, 2nd Tennessee
Cavalry, USA. He deserted at Murfreesboro April 15, 1863. It is likely that all
these references pertain to one man. 1860 Census, Tenn., Cocke, 8th Dist., 209;
CSR, RGLOO, NA: CSR, RG9e, NA.

re)

Isaac Stinnett was probably Isaac M., Stinnett, who from Sevier County in Septem-
ber, 1863, joined Company D, 9th Tennessee Cavalry, USA. After transferring to
Company B, same regiment, he was captured at Clinch River, Tennessee, August 28,
1864. Held prisoner of war in Richmond, Virginia, and Salisbury, North Carolina,

he was paroled by the Confederates at Cox's Wharf, Vive nga. March 10, 1865, . CSR,
RG94, NA.

John K. Tedford was likely John Tedford (b. Cal621). a Blount County carpenter.
1860: Census, Ténn., Blount, 4th Dist. ..370,

Eli [ ely] Tinker (b. cal817) was a Greene County farmer. 1860 Census, Tenn.,
creene, 23rd Dist. , 205.

The quest for biographical data about the Hodsden Cave laborers has yielded
nothing about the cave itself. However, at least eighteen of the laborers had
some kind of connection with Sevier County. These people lived there, were born
there, later moved there, or joined the army there. The best guess is that the
cave was in operation only a few months in mid-1862. Then the Nitre Bureau was
getting organized, and toec tae: it was not known which caves had sufficient dirt
with a high enough content of nitrates to be worth mining. Either this happened,
or the fact that the cave was located where most people opposed the Confederacy
had an influence on the probable early abandonment of mining at Hodsden Cave. With
a few exceptions, the majority of the workers were unionists and at least eight,
and probably more, eventually joined the Federal army.

Pending some additional revelation, the Confederate effort to mine Hodsden Cave
is shrouded in mystery... On June 13, 1862, James F.N:; Portertield received $12

"For Hire 2 Mules at Nitre Caye near Sevierville_Sevier County 8 days @ $1.50 pr |
Dur in Tuly, (S62, Torn &. MSVutt, a near neighsoy es Sr, Hedsdetn, Sold the NWitre Bunean ESO6 Feet
oF lumbty and various ameunts eT ryt, peas, bea ns, beet, & ee Con,and Suttev, which may nme lo€ee Ustch af Ly

day,'' which may be a reference to Hodsden Cave, On Che following September..19,

Samuel B. Henderson received $208.50 "For 278 lbs Nitre.'' This may have come from

sans “ap spe

Hodsden Cave, but since Henderson was a Nitre agent it just as likely could have

been made elsewhere. /
NOTES

1, Re. H. Temple file, Compiled Service Records (Mictrocapy, 258, Roll 113),
Record Group 109, National Archives; Knoxville Daily Register, August 5, 1862.
Virginia native Robert Henry Temple (cal831-£11901) was an assistant engineer on
the Peninsula defenses in early 1862. After the Nitre Bureau was created he com-

manded District No. 7 until October 14, 1862, when he was ordered to Texas. Paroled
at Shreveport, Louisiana, June 12, 1865, he was later a civil engineer in Richmond,
Virginia. R. H. Temple file, CSR; 1850 Census, Va., Spottsylvania, Eastern Div.,
765; "Robinson Family," William and Mary Quarteriv, KVIII (January. 1910), 184;
Gilbert B. Lewis, ''The Reverend Henry Skyring (1729-1795) And His Family," Virginia

Magazine of History and Genealogy, LIV (April, 1945), 163; Richmond city directories
(1874-1901).

2. Confederate Payrolls, Record Group 109, National Archives.

3. L860 Census, Tenn,., Sevier, 4th Dist... 73; Sevier County Wills, Vol. 1, pp.
82-83; Tombstone inscriptions, Brabson Cemetery; Sevier County Deed Book H, 281;
Book J, 59°60, 189, 192, 430, 406, 565: Book’ Ky Gi-32°- RR, H, Hodsden file, Confed-
erate Papers Relating to Citizens or Business Firms (Microcopy 346, Roll 453),
Record Group 109, National Archives.

4. On October 6 and "1S, J9@8, the writer, euided by Civde A. Minton. Jr., of
Knoxville, Tennessee, examined all of these caves. East Fork River Cave (the
probable Hodsden Cave) is the name used on the list maintained by the Nashville
based Tennessee Cave Survey.

5. 1860 Census, Tenn., Sevier, 5th Dist., 94; Marriage data supplied by Reba
H. (Mrs. Ralph B.) Mitchell of 2546 Pleasant Grove Road, SW, Cleveland, Tennessee
37311, July 25, 1988. Henderson was "identified in feeling and sympathy with the
secession movement," but "never was in the rebel army." He acted "as a sub agent
to purchase supplies for the army, which .. . he accepted solely to avoid being
forced into the army."' He bought beef cattle, and when in September, 1863, the
Confederates evacuated East Tennessee, he drove 117 head to Cartersville, Georgia,
and thence to Tunnel Hill, Georgia, losing in the process 23 head. In February,
1864, he was in North Carolina, and "commenced making his arrangements to return
home'' and accept the terms of amnesty offered by President Lincoln in his December
8, 1863, proclamation. In May, 1864, ‘at much risk and hazard, he abandoned the
rebel cause, and made his way towards home. But before he could reach Knoxville,
» « « he was arrested by some Federal soldiers, and thrown into prison, where he
was kept over six months. In the meantime he was indicted for treason in the
United States Court at Knoxville, and .. . prevented from availing himself of the
benefits of amnesty." Finally pardoned by President Andrew Johnson November 13,
1865, he briefly resided in Louisville, Kentucky, where he, Thomas H., and Joseph
S. Elliott operated a grocery. By 18/70 he was a dry goods merchant in Kingston,
Tennessee, where in 1872, 1874, and 1878 he was an alderman. Case Files of Appli-
cations From Former Confederates For Presidential Pardons (''Amnesty Papers") 1865-
1867, Record Group 94 (Mticrocopy 1003, Roli 49), Tenny, S$. 8B. Henderson; .5, 5.
Henderson file, Citizens Papers (M346, Roll 432), RG109, NA; Edwards' Annual
Director. s . City oF Louisville Clo6G4/)4 go. 1967 240, 2670 Census, Jenn...
Roane, Kingston, 8; Snyder E. Roberts, Roots of Roane County, Tennessee 1/92--
(Kineston, Tenrn.: Roane Publishing Uo... 1981), pp. SO. 914

6, Confederate Payrolls, er a

73) James’ Fi a. Porterfield and ‘S. ne HeAceveon files, Citizens Papers (M346,
Rolls 8129" 32), RG109, NA. M cNutt Ch. cal 819D aa favmer, claimed before the
war real “estate Cae #ISoe0. | ¥éc Census, Tenn, Sevier, 4th, Dist, 66.