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4th Annual Reunion at Murfreesboro, Tennessee

7th Pennsylvania Cavalry Descendants Association

By: Larry Fryer

With the ghosts of their ancestors riding in the wind, the 7^th Pa Cavalry Descendants Association held their 4^th reunion in Murfreesboro, TN the weekend of May 2-4, 2003.  With the Wingate Hotel serving as official headquarters, thirty troops (a full company at wartime strength) honored their ancestors during an event filled weekend.   Exacting revenge on this second invasion of the 7^th Pa Cavalry was Joseph Wheeler, who ordered a barrage of lead and hail on the caravan of their descendants as they rode through Shelbyville, TN Friday afternoon en route to Skull Camp Bridge.  Suffering nearly 40% casualties in missing trooper descendants, it was later learned some had found their way to a local watering hole, where they were seen consorting with female Confederate sympathizers at an establishment whose name rhymes with the nickname of the state of Indiana.  This resulted in a mock courts martial at the historic Rutherford County Courthouse Saturday morning, where Rob Frederick, Michael Crippen, Erik Wagner, and John Wagner, were charged with four specifications in violation of the articles of war.  After the prosecution (Larry Fryer) presented their case, the defendants’ co-counsel (Mark Seymour and Laurie Schiller) eloquently addressed their innocence, and Judge Jim Denham acquitted them of all charges.  It was all a festive and memorable part of the 4^th reunion of the 7^th Pa Cavalry Descendants Association in the heart of Tennessee.

The group began the reunion with a tour of Oakland’s Mansion in Murfreesboro, where four companies of the 7^th Pa Cavalry were encamped nearby.  On the dawn of July 13, 1862, the remnants of these four companies (many had been detailed on a scout) first heard, and then felt the effects of the southern steel of Nathan Bedford Forrest’s troops.  This was followed by a delightful luncheon at the historic Chockley Tavern, Wartrace, TN, where hostess Blossom Merryman and her merry crew entertained the troops with southern delicacies in period costume.  Dr. Mark Bradley then led the troops on a tour of the Tullahoma Campaign, culminating in Shelbyville, TN, where Joseph Wheeler took his revenge for having been pushed across the Duck River by the group’s ancestors on June 27, 1863.  Wheeler’s fabled “Leap” was now paid back as a flurry of hail, the effects of which had seldom been witnessed before.  While Wheeler opened up the heavens with this flurry of grapeshot-sized hail, the group waited out the attack in their four wheeled steeds, contemplating what had occurred there 140 years ago. 

The barrage of hail ended, and the surviving descendants made their way to Skull Camp Bridge, where Wheeler had made his infamous leap so many years before.  Following dinner that evening at the local Ryan’s Steakhouse, the group was treated to a presentation on cavalry by Dr. Laurie Schiller, whose wife Cathleen is related to Francis Weigley, Co. A.  Captured at Lovejoy Station, GA, Weigley died during his subsequent imprisonment, and like many other troopers, the location of his burial has never been identified.

Ronnie Clemmons led the group on a tour of the Rutherford County Courthouse in Murfreesboro, TN Saturday morning, followed by a courts-martial of the four previously named troopers.  While not scheduled into the itinerary, the courts-martial was one of the many highlights of the weekend.  After a splendid lunch at the City Café during the midst of the Murfreesboro jazz fest, the group was provided a presentation of the battle of Stones River by Park Ranger Jim Lewis.  Following several hours of free time, during which many availed themselves to the sights and sounds of jazz in the town square, dinner was enjoyed at a local Italian eatery, “The Parthenon,” where live piano music was heard and enjoyed.  The evening’s presentation was made by author David Evans, who provided a cinematic picture of the real world (vs. John Wayne’s version) of Civil War cavalry.  Following a question and answer period, David Evans was still signing books (Sherman’s Horsemen) at midnight for members of the audience.

The 2003 reunion of the 7^th Pa Cavalry Descendants Association was a huge success with 30 members attending, and the additional participation of David and Mary Evans.  Murfreesboro resident Ronnie Clemmons is especially acknowledged for providing immeasurable assistance in planning the itinerary and further coordination in the procurement of the reunion ribbons and badge.  SCV officer Clemmons is also thanked for his presentation to Larry Fryer of the artwork depicting Nathan Bedford Forrest and the Rutherford County Courthouse.  Upon its receipt, Larry Fryer had every attendee of the reunion autograph the print along the border, providing and lasting and special memory of this incredible weekend.

While hard-pressed to name a highlight of the weekend, my vote is for the new and renewed friendships of the association members, and the interest in their 7^th Pa Cavalry ancestors, in whose honor and memory this weekend was dedicated too.

2003 Reunion Ribbon

'Yankees' are coming to Wartrace today for Civil War sites tour

May 01, 2003

 Chockley Inn & Tavern is located at 111 Spring St. in Wartrace Tn. Southern hospitality abounds when civil war storytelling and music are featured at historic Chockley Inn & Tavern. Servers in period dress entertain and inform while presenting select cookery in the 19th century setting.

Construction camps for the first Tennessee railroad, The Nashville & Chattanooga, created a corridor of development in the early 1850's where towns like Wartrace, Tullahoma and Bell Buckle became crossroads of commerce. Chockley Tavern, a central passage frame structure is believed to be the oldest in the National Register Wartrace District built to serve the railroad traffic. Used first as a coach stop and in 1863 a meeting place for Confederate staff officers of Cleburne's Division. The abolitionist, Parson Brownlow was held in the tavern for 3 days while Confederate Gen. Hardee tried to negotiate a truce in which they could send Brownlow through the lines as he was being exiled from the Confederacy. When negotiations broke down Gen. Hardee had Brownlow taken into the no mans land, (the area north of Fosterville which neither side controlled) and dumped like excess baggage. The would be Union spy Pauline Cushman, in an effort to reach the Union lines with information she felt was urgently needed by Union Gen. Rosecrans, stole a young boys cloths and horse from the tavern. She was not successful. After being caught and sentence to hang she feigned an illness and was left behind in the care of a known Union man when Shelbyville was evacuated during the Tullahoma Campaign. It continued as a WW1 boarding house and later a private home for a N.C.& St.L. station agent in the hey day of train travel.

The gift shop is open 11:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. Saturdays. They offer a selection of traditional items , books, Civil war art and regional crafts displayed as part of the tavern decor. Catered meals by reservation only: brunch, lunch, specialty teas and dinner for private parties , 10-40, which must be booked in advance and confirmed. Larger receptions, buffets and weddings also booked. all events feature candlelight and costumed entertainment. Call 931-380-1844 for a schedule.
Lunch & Learn demonstrations and programs ranging from history and gardening to Southern architecture, rail roading and the whiskey industry are available with group reservations at no extra cost. They tailor the presentation to your group interest. Blossom Merryman proprietress and Coleen Saunders coordinator. Call 931-389-0545 or 931-455-8966 for booking.