When talk began of the infringement of States’ rights, Roane County, as did much of Tennessee, tended to side with the Union. In February 1861, the first statewide vote for secession from the Union was taken.

In Roane County, the vote totals were 1,568 against secession and 454 for it. The first referendum vote was defeated statewide. Then in April, President Lincoln called up troops after Fort Sumter was taken by Southern militia. This initiated another statewide vote to be taken. Prior to this second referendum, a delegation from Roane County convened in Knoxville. The purpose of this convention was to formulate a strategy for keeping Tennessee out of the Confederacy. Two of the 48 delegates attending were Robert Byrd and James Shelly. Isham Harris, Democratic Governor of Tennessee in 1861 and leader of the movement to have Tennessee secede from the Union

Roane County vote in February 1861 by district

The State then voted to secede from the Union. Another convention was held in Greenville in June to determine a way for East Tennessee to avoid the impending conflict. The Unionist delegates drafted a request asking to be allowed to become an “independent state” with the intention of staying neutral, but this request was ignored by Governor Harris.

Public official’s oath to the Confederate States of America

Up until 1856, the predominant political party in East Tennessee was the Whig party. In 1860, the Whig party, no longer in existence, had become what we know today as the Republican party. Before secession, Roane County leaned strongly toward remaining with the Union. But after secession, the County was evenly divided between Union and Confederate loyalties. Residents of the southern part of the county tended to ally themselves more with the Confederacy, while the northern residents were more pro-Union. Many desired neutrality, but were unable because of southern conscription, or draft. Many families chose to pack up and leave the South and go North until hostilities ceased.

By June 1861, Roane County came under the authority of the Confederate states. It was a time of divided loyalties, as some joined the Union army and some, the Confederate. Unionists left to join up in Kentucky, while Southern sympathizers joined in the general area. There were camps in Decatur and Knoxville.