At the beginning of the conflict, the enthusiasm of the Confederate women spurred them to produce many needed supplies. Women who lived in the Post Oak Springs community and Loudon, for example, made and donated articles such as blankets and clothes.

Schooling for the children of the area went on as usual at the beginning of the war. Later, most schools closed. But by all indications, Roane County’s Rittenhouse Academy, as well as many other private academies, continued schooling children both during and after the war.

Rittenhouse Academy in Kingston

Churches in the area were not spared the political divisions of the time. Many churches continued holding services for those who chose to remain in the area. Others were forced to close until after the conflict. Many churches attempted to remain neutral in the conflict.

Bethel Presbyterian Church

The impact of the war caused a virtual halt to agriculture, other than subsistence farming and barter.

As the war continued, the women and children who were left at home were faced with the constant threat of seeing their food stolen by military troops and local guerillas.

As the war dragged on, animosity among neighbors grew. Neighbors accused one another of telling the armies passing through the area about the existence of meager food supplies and livestock, resulting in their theft.