Most Tennesseans may not stop to reflect on the state’s role in the Civil War as they go about their daily lives, but now interactive technology coupled with extensive historical research can map out the battles that took place where present day grocery stores, schools and businesses stand.
The first of its kind in the nation, the Tennessee Civil War Geographic Information System (GIS) Survey shows hundreds of locations where Civil War battles, engagements, skirmishes and other military actions took place. The interactive GIS application for the Civil War in Tennessee is now available at:
tnmap.tn.gov/civilwar .
The web site allows modern aerial photography, street maps and land use maps to be overlaid onto sites where Civil War actions occurred in Tennessee. It also links narrative information about these events from the Tennessee Civil War Sourcebook. Complete accounts of all the state units that served in the war are searchable by county along with 1860 United States Census data.
The Tennessee Civil War GIS Survey is a project of the Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA) and is funded by the American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP) of the National Park Service. TSLA is a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
“Learning about the Civil War is fundamental to understanding Tennessee history,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “By linking information from the State Library and Archives with maps, Tennesseans can tour battlefields across the state without leaving their homes.”
Other TSLA materials used in the project include original documents, photos, historic maps and military unit histories by county of origin. The Tennessee Civil War GIS Survey builds on efforts of the Tennessee Civil War Preservation Association and the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area.