Tag Archives: Forrest

The Burning Of Clifton

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The Burning Of Clifton

by William R. Morris

Originally published in the “Wayne County Historian”

Volume 2, Number 2, June 1989

War is never a good thing, especially for the people caught in its path. The Tennessee River town of Clifton, Tennessee seemed to be caught in the path sporadically throughout the Civil War. A tragic turn of events occurring in February 1863, left some of the residents of Clifton homeless.

The Civil War brought a hard life to John Newsom. John answered his new country’s call for volunteers by joining the 6th Infantry Regiment of the Provisional Army of Tennessee. John was soon made Captain of Company F of that unit. In a short time the 6th Infantry was placed into Confederate service.

Although the 6th Tennessee Infantry Regiment rendered good service early in the Civil War, it was nearly destroyed during the Battle of Shiloh. The regiment withdrew from the battle having suffered nearly 500 casualties of its 851 men. Captain Newsom’s company was disbanded and its surviving members assigned to other units.

Brigadier General Gideon J. Pillow, finding Newsom without a command, authorized him to form a new cavalry regiment behind the lines for Confederate service. Newsom, now having been appointed a colonel, not only began recruiting, but engaged in military operations against Federal units in the area. February 1863 found Newsom and a number of his men in Clifton. Clifton, just the month before, had been the location of Confederate General Nathan B. Forrest’s temporary brigade headquarters after his Christmas raid through west Tennessee.

The 3rd Michigan Cavalry Regiment came into Middle Tennessee after a good deal of hard campaigning. The regiment had participated in the siege of New Madrid, the siege of Island Number 10, and the siege of Corinth, Mississippi. The 3rd continued its actions against the Confederates in middle and west Tennessee and northern Mississippi. There is little doubt that such continuous fighting shaped these Grand Rapids citizen soldiers into war-hardened veterans.

The State of Michigan saw to it that its 3rd Cavalry was exceptionally well equipped. They had been furnished with the new Sharps breach loading rifles and carbines. This weapon allowed the cavalryman to rapidly reload far faster than the normal muzzle-loaders of their opponents. The regiment had also bee issued a number of the new multi-shot Colt Revolving rifles. They were also furnished a large number of various types of handguns (revolvers).

By way of comparison, the normal Confederate cavalry regiment was equipped with what weapons they could get. Normally they would use various kinds of shotguns, flintlocks, and other assorted muzzle-loaders. Confederate troops continued throughout the war to arm themselves with what Union weapons they could capture or pick up from the battlefields. There is little question that during February 1863, the 3rd Michigan Cavalry had Newsom’s cavalry outgunned.

On 13 February 1863, a Tuesday, the 3rd Michigan Cavalry sent out a scouting party from Lexington, Tennessee towards Clifton. The party was composed of companies A, B, K, and L of the 3rd Michigan and SGT Mize and 14 men from the 7th Tennessee Cavalry Regiment (US Volunteers), acting as guides. The group was under command of CPT Cicero Newell.

On 19 February, the group approached Clifton from the west die of the river. Newell had received word that “…the noted Colonel Newsom …” and his men, which were considered to be guerrillas, could be found at “the old haunt, Clifton”.

While scouting the vicinity some of Newell’s men found a sunken flatboat, about 20 miles above Clifton. Newell formed a plan of attack. Leaving SGT Vowell and 6 men from Company K to bail out and refloat the flatboat, Newell made the appearance of returning to Lexington. When the local residents were apparently convinced of this action, and Newell was out-of-sight of the populace, he hid his men in the forest until nightfall. He then returned to the river with his men where he met SGT Vowell, now about four miles above the town with the flatboat. Newell found the boat to be too small to carry his whole command. With time running short, Newell could only make one crossing of the river. Taking 60 troops with him, Newell crossed the river, leaving the remainder on the west side. On landing, precious time was lost as the party was delayed in the swamps near the town. However, they were able to surround the town shortly before dawn.

As dawn broke, Newell began his surprise attack on the sleeping Confederates. The attack was fast and furious, catching many of the rebels still asleep in bed. The Confederates fought back, but it was over quickly. As a result of the attack, Newell’s party captured 54 of Newsom’s force and a number of their horses. Newell was wounded in the attack and CPT Frederick C. Adamson assumed command of the party. With the capture of the rebels, the town of Clifton was set ablaze.

As the town burned, the US Gunboats “Fairplay”. “Lexington”, St. Clair”, Brilliant” and “Robb” approached along the river. The little fleet was on their way up the river to check reports of Confederate activity. The group was under the command of Lieutenant Commander Leroy Fitch who observed CPT Adamson signaling him to land. On his landing, Fitch spoke with Adamson and was made to understand what had just occurred. Adamson feared a Confederate counterattack and requested Fitch’s assistance in crossing the river with his force and the captured horses. Adamson was also uncertain if he could safely return to Lexington with so many prisoners. Fitch agreed to assist in the crossing and to take care of the prisoners for Adamson. Col. Newsom, who had been captured, was found to be severely wounded and was paroled and released at Clifton.

Later that afternoon Fitch transported 40 of Adamson’s dismounted troops to Eagle’s Nest Island in search of additional rebels and their stores. This party later returned having found neither men nor supplies. Adamson withdrew his party to Lexington.

Was it necessary that Clifton be burned? Little now exists to give a valid answer either way. It is known that in February 1862, the Captain of the US Gunboat “Tyler” confiscated a large amount of supplies at Clifton. Supplies which he felt were destined for the rebels. Contemporary reports tend to indicate that the residents of Clifton were housing Newsom’s force. The Union troops may have felt that the town was composed of Confederate sympathizers. On the other hand, it is known that in July 1863, after a battle near Jackson, Tennessee the 3rd Michigan Cavalry was accused of the drunken looting of a millinery store in Jackson. Whatever the reason, the burning left the residents of Clifton without their homes for the winter.

Sources:

The Civil War Centennial Commission Of Tennessee, Tennesseans In The Civil War, Part I, University of Tennessee Press, Nashville, TN 1984

Michigan Civil War Centennial Observance Commission, Small Arms Used By Michigan Troops In The Civil War

Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium Of The Of The War Of The Rebellion, Morningside Bookshop (reprint 1978)

U.S. Government, Official Records Of Union And Confederate Navies In The War Of Rebellion: Naval Forces Of Western Waters, Government Printing Office, 1896

U.S. Government, War of Rebellion, A Compilation Of The Official Records Of Union And Confederate Armies, Washington, DC

Robertson, Jno., Adjutant General, Michigan In The War, W. S. George & Co., Lansing, MI 1882.

The War In The Backwaters

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The War In The Backwaters

by William R. Morris

This article was originally published in “The Wayne County Historian” Vol. 2, No. 2, June 1989

During the Civil War many small skirmishes were fought in and around the city of Clifton, Tennessee. Among those military actions was an extended fight occurring in late July of 1864, between Col. Jacob Biffle’s 19th (9th) Tennessee Cavalry, C.S.A., and Col. John Murphy’s 2nd Tennessee Mounted Infantry, US Volunteers, as well as the U.S. Navy gunboat “Undine”.

Clifton, a town located on the Tennessee River in the northwest corner of Wayne County, had been occupied as a military post by the 2nd Tennessee Mounted Infantry since late December 1863. The garrison was roughly located on a small knoll behind the Clifton Presbyterian Church. As part of his duties, Col. Murphy, commander of the Clifton post, would send detachments of his force on patrols, scouting the area to gather information, forage, and, on occasion, to skirmish with regular and guerrilla Confederate forces.

Since the fall of Fort Donalson in February, 1862, the US Navy had sent frequent gunboat patrols up and down the Tennessee River. These boats would travel the river to gather intelligence, and on occasion, do battle with Confederate military forces on shore. When possible they would stop at Union military posts, like Clifton, to render assistance.

Biffle’s Cavalry Regiment, formed in late 1862, was involved in numerous raids and battles during its service under Generals Nathan B. Forrest and Joseph Wheeler. Although records reflect that in late 1864, the unit was involved in actions occurring in Georgia, there also exist records indicating that a least a portion of the unit was in the Wayne County area of Tennessee in late July. Biffle’s Cavalry regiment, as well as the 2nd Tennessee Mounted Infantry, were composed primarily of men from Wayne County, Tennessee.

On Friday, 22 July 1864, after a skirmish at Clifton with Confederate forces in which SGT Barnett Hughes of Company I was wounded, and the enemy beaten back, Col. Murphy began to separate his force. Col. Murphy left Clifton with two companies of his regiment to establish his new headquarters at Section 54 of the Nashville and Northwestern Railroad. Murphy left the remainder of his command at Clifton under Major James M. Dickerson.

On the 23rd of July, another skirmish occurred. During the course of this fight, Ephrim Brown and Daniel McGee, both of Company A, 2nd Tennessee Mounted Infantry [afterwards referred to as TMI], were killed. Brian Frankham of Company D, TMI, was captured.

On Sunday, 24 July, no military actions occurred at Clifton, However, Col. Murphy’s detachment had run into trouble. As the two companies and headquarters staff neared the Hickman County town of Centreville, they were attacked by the Confederates. Company F’s William Porter was captured and William Campbell was killed.

The following day the U.S.S. “Undine” (No. 55), an eight gun, US Navy gunboat, arrived at Clifton. The vessel was under the command of Acting Master John L. Bryant. During the afternoon, the “Undine” prepated to leave Clifton. In the process of backing from the bank, the boat struck a snag, tearing a two feet long hole in the bottom. Despite all his efforts, Bryant became aware that keeping the boat afloat was a lost cause. He ordered his sailors to begin dismounting the boat’s cannon and to land the ammunition and stores.

The boat sank on a slant in water four to nineteen feet deep. Bryant dispatched his acting ensign, J. P. Neave, and four men to seek naval assistance.

On Tuesday, the 26th, Biffle was again in position to attack the post at Clifton. Dickerson had met with Bryant and had taken two of the 24 pound howitzers back to the stockade along with a squad of sailors to assist in mounting the cannon. Bryant meanwhile had mounted two additional cannon on the riverbank to cover not only the roads leading to the river, but the west bank of the river opposite Clifton.

Wednesday, while activity inside the stockade remained relatively quiet, events continued to happen. Bryant’s crew placed their salvaged stores and ammunition in a house near the riverbank. Company F had left the post en route to Col. Murphy’s location at Centerville. As that company neared Centerville, Pvt. Paskel Moore was killed in action with the enemy.

Fighting resumed around the post on the 28th. Men from Company H, 2nd TMI were engaged with the surrounding Confederate cavalry. Company I managed to leave the post to join Col. Murphy. Bryant’s men were involved in removing iron and coal from around the “Undine’s” boilers when they saw the U.S.S. “Elfin” (No. 54) approaching. The “Elfin” was returning with Ensign Neave and the four sailors Bryant had sent for help. Bryant was probably relieved to know that help was on the way.

Little occurred on the 29th. The salvage efforts continued on the “Undine”. There was a lull in the fighting around the post. Company F, 2nd TMI, had arrived at Centreville.

Biffle’s attack on Clifton rapidly escalated on the 30th of July. True to the proven battlefield experiences gained from his service under General Forrest, Biffle demanded the surrender of the post. At 6:30 A.M., Biffle sent a message under a flag of truce to Post Commander, Major Dickerson, in which he demanded the surrender of both the town of Clifton and the garrison located there. Biffle gave Dickerson twenty minutes to decide his men’s fate. In order to further pressure Dickerson, Biffle also demanded that all the citizens of the town be allowed to leave as he intended to shell it immediately. This demand was similar to ones made of Federal troops by General Forrest throughout the war. On this occasion the demand proved a useless tactic since Dickerson refused to respond. Dickerson’s decision was no doubt influenced by the presence of the “Undine’s: formidable 24 pound howitzers. The soldiers and sailors prepared for the attack. Although the Union men continued to man their posts through the day and into the night, no general attack ever came.

On 31 July 1864, the attack at Clifton ended. Additional naval vessels arrived and with their crews’ assistance and equipment, Bryant managed to refloat the “Undine” and make temporary repairs. The boat’s stores, guns and ammunition were taken with the “Undine” when she left Clifton. Companies A, B, C, D, and E (2nd TMI) remained at Clifton, while Companies F, G, H, I, and K joined Col. Murphy and established camps in and around Section 54 of the Nashville and Northwestern Railroad. Biffle’s regiment withdrew.

In a short time, events leading to General Forrest’s attack on the Union supply depot at Johnsonville would bring all three of these units together again. Biffle’s cavalry would return with vengeance. Murphy’s regiment would suffer its greatest loss. The “Undine” would become part of the only naval force in history to belong to and be operated by a cavalry unit. But those are other stories.

Sources:

Brownlow, James P., Report of The Adjutant General Of The State Of Tennessee Of The Military Forces Of The State From 1861 To 1866, S.C. Merce, 1866.

Civil War Centennial Commission of Tennessee, Tennesseans In The Civil War, University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville, TN, Second Printing 1984.

Henry, Robert S., “First With The Most” Forrest, Broadfoot Publishing Co., 1987

U.S. Government, Official Record of Naval Forces On Western Waters, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC, n.d.

U.S. Government, Compiled Service Records Of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Serviced in Organizations From the State of Tennessee, National Archives, Microfilm Publication 395, Roll 136.

“The Clifton Mirror”, March 23, 1906.

General John Bell Hood’s Invasion of Tennessee, October 1864 – January 1865

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Written and submitted by Edgar D. BYLER, III

[Editor’s Note: This paper was presented to the Col. Jacob BIFFLE Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Waynesboro, Tennessee]

Confederate States of America President Jefferson Davis in July of 1864, appointed Gen. John Bell Hood of Texas as commander of the Army and Department of Tennessee. Hood’s orders and general plan of action were to stop US Gen. Sherman from taking Atlanta, Georgia. However, when Atlanta fell to Sherman’s forces on 2 September 1864, Hood was forced to reconsider his strategy.

Between the 2nd of September and the second week in October, 1864, Hood attacked Sherman’s positions wherever and whenever possible. Hood did succeed in destroying the railroad between Chattanooga, Tennessee and Atlanta, but his original intention of drawing Sherman out of Atlanta failed. Sherman cabled Gen. Thomas in Nashville that he was cutting loose and was on his way to Savannah, Georgia.

Hood now found himself in the unenviable position of attempting to shadow Sherman, trying to bring him into a pitched battle with of hope of defeating him, or Hood could strike what he thought would be a death blow to the Union by invading Tennessee. After conferring with Gen. Beauregard and President Davis, the decision was made to invade Tennessee. The Confederacy hoped that such an invasion would force Sherman to return to Tennessee to defend the strategic supply points of Nashville and Paducah, Kentucky.

Between October 9th and the 30th, Hood’s army, composed of three corps: Cheatham, Lee and Stewart, began a long, recuperative retreat into Alabama. The men who had been pushed and wearied by the assault on Sherman’s troops needed to be re-outfitted and re-armed. This was accomplished as well as was feasible at various points in northeastern Alabama.

Hood first attempted to cross the Tennessee River at Decatur, Alabama. But was unable to cross due to high water and the earlier destruction of the railroad bridge. He then ordered the army to proceed to Tuscumbia, where he arrived on the 30th of October.

Hood’s army of the Tennessee was strung out in camps between Tuscumbia, South Florence, Leighton and Bainbridge. Attempts were made to cross the Tennessee River by pontoon at Bainbridge, located above the shoals, but the pontoons were cut by Federal forces.

On the 31st of October, Gen. Stephen Lee’s forces began crossing the Tennessee River from South Florence. They ran into Federal troops under the command of Gen. Hatch and following a short skirmish, Hatch retreated toward Waynesboro, Tennessee. The Confederate forces under Lee marched into Florence, Alabama to the jubilant celebration of its inhabitants.

Between the 1st of November and the 20th, Hood experienced one delay after another. Gen. Forrest did not arrive in Florence until the 14th of November having been opposite Johnsonville, Tennessee before being ordered to join Hood at Florence. While Lee’s corps had successfully crossed the river, Cheatham and Stewart’s corps were still unable to cross due to high water and flood damage to the pontoon bridge. Cheatham finally crossed the river on the 12th and 13th, while Stewart was unable to cross until the 20th.

While Hood was waiting for Cheatham and Stewart’s corps to make it across the river, Forrest had arrived and was placed in command of all the cavalry units. Forrest immediately set out toward Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, harassing the Federal troops under Gen. Hatch at every turn. Hatch finally struck back at Forrest’s command on the 19th of November in a battle on Butler Creek in Wayne County, Tennessee. The battle proved inconclusive and Hatch withdrew toward Lawrenceburg with Forrest in hot pursuit.

On the 15th of November, Col. Jacob Biffle was apparently raiding from Ashland, Wayne County, Tennessee to Linden, in Perry County and Clifton in Wayne County. It was in Clifton that Biffle was joined by more of Forrest’s command who had crossed the river from west Tennessee. On the 16thof November, Biffle was camped on Indian Creek, Wayne County, Tennessee (near his home at Biffle Spring) and probably joined up with Col. Rucker of Forrest’s command who on that date was occupying Waynesboro, Tennessee.

 The records do not indicate where Biffle and Rucker were between the 16th and the 18th of November. They had probably moved out toward Lawrenceburg, Tennessee to join with Forrest’s main force. We know that they were not in Waynesboro, Tennessee on the 18th because on that date, Col. Horace Capron (US) of the 6th Division, 1st Brigade of Wilson’s Cavalry, had occupied the town with his force composed of men from the 14th and 16th Illinois Cavalry, the 5th Indiana and the 8th Michigan.

Capron did not occupy Waynesboro without a fight. He reported to Gen. Wilson and Gen. Schofield that he “occupied Waynesboro this evening [18th Nov] with the loss of 1 killed, 1 mortally wounded, 1 severely wounded, and that he had captured two scouts from Forrest’s command.” He stated that citizen intelligence reported Hood’s army was at Florence, Alabama and that Forrest was in the area around Lawrenceburg. Capron would remain in Waynesboro until the 22nd when he retreated to Mt. Pleasant and joined Gen. Hatch.

Finally, on the 20th of November, Hood was ready to begin his march. Stewart had finally crossed the river and had gone into camp six miles north of Florence on the old military road, camping at Wilson’s crossroads [now known as St. Florian]. Lee was about ten miles north of Florence on the Chisholm Road, while Cheatham and the Headquarters were just north of Florence on the old Waynesboro-Florence road [present day Cloverdale road]

cheathamFrom this point until the army was united south of Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee it was spread out over a large area from Middle Cypress Creek on the west to the east of Shoals Creek. Hood’s plan was to have Cheatham’s corps and the Headquarters move north on the Waynesboro-Florence Road to Waynesboro and then on the old Columbia Central Turnpike to Mt. Pleasant. Lee would take the Chisholm Road north, moving toward West Point, Tennessee, then turn west onto the old Natchez Trace and then to the Columbia Central Turnpike. Stewart’s route remains somewhat of a mystery. He originally started out on the Military Road, but appears to have turned west near Pruitt’s Mill (Pruitton, south of Iron City, Tennessee) and followed behind Lee.

For all the soldiers marching north from Florence, Alabama, this was a time of celebration as well as despair — celebration because they were back in Tennessee which was home to many of them; despair because of the weather and their inadequate equipage and rations. When they left Florence, it was raining; but this quickly changed to snow and ice. The weather turned much colder and troops in Lee’s corps reported seeing icicles two feet long on Butler Creek. Add to this the fact that the roads were normally impassable in such weather, but were now a muddy morass because of the movement of the artillery pieces and baggage trains, it is a wonder that the troops made such good time. Often traveling 13 – 16 miles per day.

LeeOn the 21st of November, Hood’s headquarters were at Mr. Westmoreland’s house just west of the Cloverdale Road, near present day Pisgah Methodist Church. Cheatham was camped at Rawhide (Cloverdale). Lee had crossed into Tennessee near the old Van Leer furnace on Butler Creek with Stewart somewhere between Wilson’s Crossroads and Pruitton.

On the 22nd of November Cheatham had marched 18 miles north on the Waynesboro-Florence Road and was camped about 15 miles south of Waynesboro. The headquarters was in a deserted house about 14 miles south of Waynesboro (near the present intersection of the Natchez Trace Parkway and Tennessee Highway 13, south of Collinwood). Lee’s corps was camped between Wayland Springs and West Point; and Forrest was engaged in the Battle of Lawrenceburg with Gen. Hatch.

It is important to point out here that Gen. Hatch had been ordered by Gen. Thomas in Nashville, to hinder the advance of Hood’s forces as much as possible, but was not to fully engage them in battle. This was to allow Thomas time to get reinforcements from Paducah, Kentucky into Nashville to strengthen his force. This was not a surprise raid on Hood’s part and Thomas well knew the importance of Hood’s force of 36,000+ men advancing toward him. Thomas’ problem was that he didn’t know exactly where Hood was going to strike.

Cheatham left camp at the intersection of the Waynesboro-Florence Road and the Old Nashville Road (Natchez Trace) on the 23rd and arrived in Waynesboro by 4:00 P.M. It is believed that his corps and the Headquarters group followed the Trace to the area of McCalls passing through what is today Collinwood, then either turned down Chalk Creek or followed the old Green River Road.

They found Waynesboro deserted. All the townspeople had fled to the nearby countryside. Cheatham didn’t stop in Waynesboro, but continued on the old Columbia Central Turnpike towards Lawrenceburg. He went into camp that evening at Wayne Furnace. Lee and Stewart were still bogged down in western Lawrence County while Forrest had proceed up the Military Road to near Summertown.

On the 24th, Cheatham, along with Hood and his headquarters, left Wayne Furnace and marched 14 miles to Mrs. Chambers house on the old Columbia Central Turnpike (just north of Ovilla). Lee had crossed over into Wayne County, probably from Fish Trap Creek and turned north onto the Pinhook Road which left the Waynesboro-Lawrenceburg Road just above where Zion Baptist Church is today and intersected the Turnpike south of Ovllla. Stewart continued north up Chisum Creek, joining the Turnpike near Deerfield.

StewartBy the 25th, Hood’s headquarters was at Mt. Pleasant; Cheatham was south of Mt. Pleasant; Lee was on the Columbia Pike north of Mt. Pleasant, Stewart was at Henryville and Forrest was south of Columbia. By the 26th they were all at Columbia, Stewart’s corps bringing up the rear.

What followed was the Battle of Franklin and the Battle of Nashville where all Hood’s plans were dashed. Hood was a defeated man and submitted his resignation, the army was placed under the immediate command of Gen. Richard Taylor, later joining Gen. Joe Johnston for the denouement of the war.

One footnote concerning Wayne County following the battle of Nashville. The 30,000+ Federal troops who had been sent in pursuit of Gen. Hood’s retreating forces, were turned aside at Pulaski, Tennessee and made a quick march to Clifton, Tennessee where they were loaded onto transports and sent to Paducah, thence by train to Virginia for the closing episodes of the war.

Thus in the closing days of the war, Wayne County, Tennessee was to experience the trauma of two large armies passing through its territory. Everything that was not tied down or hidden was confiscated by first the Confederate troops, then the Union troops. The residents were left destitute.

Russ Hotel – Clifton, Tennessee

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The Russ Hotel - (photograph from The Taylor~Trotwood Magazine, February 1907)

The Russ Hotel – (photograph from The Taylor~Trotwood Magazine, February 1907)

The Hotel Russ, A Palace for Travelers

This article was published in “The Clifton Mirror” Clifton, Tennessee, Friday, February 3, 1905. The Rust family, along with their related familiintention to have his own electric light plant, but he has decided to use the power now in course of furnishing by the new company, in which he is one of the principal stockholders. It should be added here that the doors, windows and sash were furnished by the Cottage Building Co., the iron by Geo. L. Meskey & Co., and the carpet, rugs and curtains by the Wm. E. French Co., all of Evansville. The hotel has its own water works and sewerage system. Mr. W. W. Atchinson and wife conducted the Hotel Russ

The Hotel Russ, A Palace for Travelers

This article was published in “The Clifton Mirror” Clifton, Tennessee, Friday, February 3, 1905. The Rust family, along with their related families, had settled in Wayne County between 1840 and 1850. It is said that the father of J. G. Russ admonished his son for changing the family name from Rust to Russ. Legend relates that this hotel was the host to German General Rommel prior to his North Africa campaign. Stated purpose for his visit was to study the tactics of Civil War General Nathan Bedford Forrest. Author of the article is unknown.

The commercial traveler—and his name is legion—may travel far and wide before he finds a cozier and more hospitable home in which to repose his restless bones for a brief season than the Hotel Ruses, a picture of which is presented herewith. We speak of the commercial traveler especially because he is the most ubiquitous bird of passage produced by this age of enterprise, but as a matter of fact the traveling public generally may find a warm welcome and generous treatment beneath the rooftree` of this hostelry. The Hotel Russ was thrown open to the public just one year ago. It was built by Mr. J. G. Russ, one of the wealthiest and most substantial citizens of Clifton, as well as one of the most enterprising. Mr. Russ was himself on the road for twenty years, representing the wholesale dry goods house of The Mackay Nisbett Co. of Evansville, Ind., and knows from practical experience the kind of accommodations that delights the hearts of the traveling fraternity. When he retired from his profession a few years ago he resolved to erect in Clifton a hostelry that would be a credit to the town, a never failing source of satisfaction to the caravan that passes this way, and that is incidentally a monument to his enterprise and generosity. The Hotel Russ is the result. The building is located at the corner of Water and Main streets, overlooking the beautiful Tennessee river, that sweeps in graceful curves and bends within the range of one’s vision until it narrows into a faint blue ribbon many miles away. It occupies a ground space of 100×85 feet, is three stories in heighth including a basement, and has added an attic and observatory. A 70-foot plumb line measures the distance from the flag pole to the ground. The building is finished in pressed brick and iron. A 10-foot veranda 95 feet in length fronts the Tennessee river, with an extension of 75 feet on Main street, making a total length of 170 feet. Large iron columns support this veranda and the balasters are of wrought iron. This veranda alone cost $1,500. From it one gets a magnificent view of the surrounding country, while a peep from the observatory enlarges the vision until on a clear day the country for many miles up and down the river is plainly visible. This hotel was build at a total cost of $20,000. Neither pains nor expense was spared to make it a model of its kind. Every department was carefully supervised and contructed under the immediate direction of the most competent craftsmen and artists in their respective lines. W. F. Hartman was the architect and forman. T. Wyche did the painting and graining. Herman Stoermer and son Fred did the brick work. J. W. Spain looked after the plastering and frescoeing. All of these parties, with the exception of Mr. Wyche, are from Evansville, Ind., and their work stands as an enduring monument to their skill. The hotel is furnished throughout in hard woods, oak being the predominating wood. There are twenty rooms in all. The first floor is given over to the lobby, dining room, reception room and living rooms. On the second floor are the parlors, guest rooms and bath rooms. A beautifully decorated bridal chamber opens off from the ladies parlor. This parlor is magnificently furnished in upholstered leather, and a bay window retreat furnishes a cozy corner for tete`-a-tetes. Just across the hall are two other Stoconnecting rooms of corresponding size, and the combination furnishes accommodations for the entertainment of a large party. In the spacious basement is the culinary department, we cannot penetrate its mysteries but a peep into its interior gives the masculine mind visions of substantials and delicacies for the inner man that set at rest any forebodings on this score. This department is furnished with every modern appliance for up-to-date cookery. The entire building is occupied by the hotel proper with the exception of the two store rooms, 25×85 feet each. The block is one of the most attractive in this section and is a source of much pride to our citizens. The hotel is steam heated, the plant being installed by the Grolette Mfg. Co., of Evansville. It is also thoroughly wired for electricity. It had been Mr. Russ’ for the first year. The first of this week they left for Lexington to take charge of Deason Springs, and are succeeded here by Mr. B. J. Stockard and his daughter Mrs. Frank Evans. Mr. Stockard is himself and ex-drummer and will understand thoroughly the art of entertaining the traveling public. He is widely known and his popular and affable nature cannot fail to add new prestige to this delightful inn. Mrs. Evans will superintend the culinary department and look after the social atmosphere, and in her skillful and artistic hands we predict that the Hotel Russ will become a center of attraction for the hungry, both of body and soul.

 

Submitted by Margaret Nolen Nichol