Narrowly Missed Destruction

You are standing in front of the Miller-Haynes house, known as the Cannonball House because of structural damage it sustained from Union cannon fire during the Battle of Blountville on September 22, 1863. During the artillery exchanges, Confederate forces were largely behind and east of the house, while Col. John W. Foster's Union forces were positioned west of here at Blountville Cemetery. Several cannonballs struck the house's western side.

It was fortunate that artillery fire did not destroy the house completely. Kentucky Confederate Edward O. Guerrant wrote in his diary on September 25: "Twelve dwellings, the Court House, Jail & both hotels were burned by the enemy's shells. About the half (& better half) of the little town was destroyed." Foster, in contrast, reported on the day of the battle that "the shells of the enemy set fire to the town, and a great portion of it was consumed."

In 1849, Elbert S. Miller had purchased the house and lot from J. Irwin's heirs; Miller later sold the home to Matthew T. Haynes, who lived there during the Civil War with his wife Kate Snapp Haynes and other members of the Snapp family. Haynes held the Confederate office of state receiver and was responsible for acquiring the confiscated property of Union sympathizers. Haynes's brother, Landon Carter Haynes, was one of the region's most vocal Confederates and represented Tennessee at the Confederate Senate in Richmond.

(caption)
These photographs show shell damage to exterior clapboard in the rear of the house, now protected by plexiglass, and to an interior door.

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  Blountville, TN  |  Sullivan County  |  37617  |  Tennessee  |  United States of America

Ralph Blizard
Anderson Townhouse
Old Deery Inn
Old Deery Inn
Battle of Blountville
Battle of Blountville
Sullivan County
Battle of Blountville
Battle of Blountville
Island Road

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.