Sack of Athens

Sack of Athens

Like many north Alabama communities, Athens changed hands many times during the Civil War. In May 1862, one particular event would scar the citizens of Athens. After Union troops celebrated their victory at Shiloh, the federal Army of Ohio pushed further into the Confederacy. The troops seized the C...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Dylan Tucker, University of North Alabama
Format: Electronic
Published: Auburn University Libraries
Subjects:
Cultural resources
Online Access:https://omeka.lib.auburn.edu/items/show/887
format Electronic
collection Alabama Cultural Resource Survey Collection
building Auburn University
publisher Auburn University Libraries
topic Cultural resources
spellingShingle Cultural resources
Sack of Athens
Dylan Tucker, University of North Alabama
fulltopic Cultural resources
Civil War; Events; Athens, AL; Limestone County, AL
description Like many north Alabama communities, Athens changed hands many times during the Civil War. In May 1862, one particular event would scar the citizens of Athens. After Union troops celebrated their victory at Shiloh, the federal Army of Ohio pushed further into the Confederacy. The troops seized the Charleston and Memphis Railroad. Citizens in northern Alabama were shocked at the occupation of Union troops. On May 2, 1862 Union forces under the command of Col. John Basil Turchin seized Athens. Once Athens fell to the Union, Turchin told his men: “I shut my eyes for two hours. I see nothing.” Union soldiers attacked businesses, plundered private homes, and assaulted many of the citizens. Damage to the town was estimated at $55,000. This traumatic event became known as the Rape of Athens.
spelling Sack of AthensDylan Tucker, University of North AlabamaCivil War; Events; Athens, AL; Limestone County, ALLike many north Alabama communities, Athens changed hands many times during the Civil War. In May 1862, one particular event would scar the citizens of Athens. After Union troops celebrated their victory at Shiloh, the federal Army of Ohio pushed further into the Confederacy. The troops seized the Charleston and Memphis Railroad. Citizens in northern Alabama were shocked at the occupation of Union troops. On May 2, 1862 Union forces under the command of Col. John Basil Turchin seized Athens. Once Athens fell to the Union, Turchin told his men: “I shut my eyes for two hours. I see nothing.” Union soldiers attacked businesses, plundered private homes, and assaulted many of the citizens. Damage to the town was estimated at $55,000. This traumatic event became known as the Rape of Athens.Alabama Cultural Resource Survey1862Texthttps://omeka.lib.auburn.edu/items/show/887Karamanski, Theodore J., "Civilians, Soldiers, and the Sack of Athens, Alabama." http://www.lib.niu.edu/1997/iht429748.html. Accessed July 14, 2015
title Sack of Athens
titleStr Sack of Athens
author Dylan Tucker, University of North Alabama
author_facet Dylan Tucker, University of North Alabama
id AUcultural887
url https://omeka.lib.auburn.edu/items/show/887
_version_ 1788802433927872512

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