Linden TN Re-enactment Poster 2009

Civil War re-enactors will invade Linden, Tennessee this Saturday for the 146th anniversary of the burning of the county court house. History will come alive as the forces of the Blue and the Gray re-stage this historic moment of Perry County history.

May 9th will be a day filled with activity in Linden, Tennessee, the county seat of Perry County, as Civil War re-enactors invade to commemorate the anniversary of the burning of the County Courthouse.  The actual date it was burned was May 12, 1863, 146 years ago. The original county courthouse for Perry County was a log cabin, which was replaced by a wooden frame, 2-story structure in 1849-50.  It is this is the building which was burned by Union troops on that fateful day.

Saturday will be packed with exciting events for everyone.  There will be a cannon exhibit and live demonstration at the field across from Sonic, next to the new School Board building on Hwy. 13.  This will last about a half hour, then at 10:45 County Mayor John Carroll will read a proclamation from the courthouse steps. Re-enactment ladies, in period dress, will enjoy a tea at the Commodore Hotel, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, and at noon the ladies will perform a fashion show on the square for everyone’s enjoyment. There will be a moderator talking about the styles and occasions the various types of dresses would be worn.

The actual courthouse skirmish will occur at 2:00 p.m. The Union troops will enter the town from the west, much as it happened in the Civil War.  It will last about 20-30 minutes, but as one re-enactor told me, “I think we’ll be ready for them this time!”  Just in case, the volunteer fire departments will be available!

The public is encouraged to come and enjoy this living, learning history presentation. Come early and talk to the re-enactors. Some of them will be camping out the night before, and all of them are eager to tell you about life in this period of time.  A medical tent will be set up, with actual medical instruments and supplies on display.

Food vending will be provided by the Perry County Rescue Squad, and there will be some vendors selling souvenirs of that time period.

Driving Directions

From Clarksville’s Veterans Plaza to Linden’s County Courthouse follows.

• Start at 350 PAGEANT LN, CLARKSVILLE going toward CROSSLAND AVE – go 0.10.2 mi/km
• Turn Right on CROSSLAND AVE – go 1.32.2 mi/km
• Turn Left on S RIVERSIDE DR(US-41A-BYP) – go 0.81.3 mi/km
• Bear Right on CUMBERLAND DR(TN-48) – go 2.13.3 mi/km
• Continue to follow TN-48 – go 6.210.0 mi/km
• Bear Right on TN-13 – go 37.560.3 mi/km
• Turn Right on N CHURCH ST(TN-13)
• Turn Left on TN-13 – go 37.259.8 mi/km
• Turn Left on E MAIN ST(US-412) – go < 0.10.1 mi/km
• Arrive at 121 E MAIN ST, LINDEN, on the Left

Thousands of scribbled signatures cover the fragile walls of this living underground environment. One visitor commented, “I wonder if there was a time when each person was handed a marker as they were going into the cave?” Visitors also see little of natural stalactites or stalagmites; many of them were taken down either through vandalism or for grinding up into mineral waters.

Nathan Smith, David Britton and Ranger Adam Neblett

A one-quarter mile length of cave on the tour shows very tiny drips of new growth on the ceilings and floors. The cave owners since 1973, the State of Tennessee, have been preserving the cave from vandalism.

Before the State of Tennessee purchased the site, Dunbar Cave was owned as a resort ; it provided 58 degree natural air conditioning at the mouth of the cave.

Other amenities were added to take advantage of this natural coolant: a dance floor, food and bingo booths, then a bigger dance floor, swimming pool, and a man-made lake with paddle boats. The scene was a source of fun, romance and entertainment from the 1930’s through 60’s. The cave had lights in it, which have since been removed. Countless visitors walked its paths.

This picture shows tour guide smoking as he’s leading a tour. Behind him, the wall of the cave is covered with graffiti.

Only a few years ago, as Larry Mathews was writing a book about Dunbar Cave, a picture in the cave was noted and later carbon dated by experts. Experts attributed the cave art to Mississippian Era Indians, often referred to as Mound Builders, and dated the art around or before the 14th century. You can watch Fox News coverage of Artifacts, on the Friends of Dunbar Cave web site at http://www.dunbarcave.org/

Finding graffiti made by Indians was an exciting discovery, staff at the cave continues to peer through the graffiti to spot more Indian art. To tour the cave and see the art, you must make a reservation with the State Park. Tours run between March and November. Call (931) 648-5526 and visit the Dunbar Cave web site, http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/DunbarCave/index.shtml

Three of Dunbar Cave’s staff have recently made some other discoveries about the graffiti in Dunbar. One signature in particular caught their interest: it said, “Capt.,” “southern” and “1863. ” After a lot of study they surmised it said:

Capt. G. Holt, Southern 3d Ky reg(iment) August 1863, Beware Yankee

David Britton’s research proved the findings: Captain Gustavus Holt was a Confederate soldier. Along with most significant Southern Civil War battles, his regiment participated in the battle of Shiloh. In 1864, the year after he signed his name in the cave, he was made a lieutenant colonel and within that same year made a colonel. In 1865 he returned to Murray, KY, to practice law.

The question arises to those who know Clarksville history: since Clarksville was under Union occupation in August of 1863, how did this Confederate Captain manage to sign his name on the cave wall? One speculation suggests that while the Union was having a picnic on August 18, Captain Holt dressed in civilian clothes, entered the cave and signed his name under the enemy’s nose to despite the occupying forces. Anyone with any information is invited to contact Dunbar Cave State Natural Area @ (931) 648-5526.