Civil War in Roane County
Lenoir's Station (now Lenoir City), Loudon and Philadelphia, which are now in Loudon County, were in Roane County during the Civil War.
Kingston
Road and river routes made Kinston a significant site during the war. It was occupied by both sides. The historic county courthouse served as military headquarters, hospital and observation post. Link
1863:
After having marched and camped in Scott County three days and nights, we reached Montgomery the county seat of Morgan County. Here the enemy had left the town the day before. We expected some resistance from now on and therefore moved cautiously along the road. About dark some one of our men of the pioneer corps had his horse shot from ambush, but Colonel Byrd sent the First Tennessee forward to clear the road. Major Ellis, in charge of the advance, had not moved far when he came upon some of the enemy's outposts and a lively skirmish was the result. As the enemy appeared to have breastworks and as it was now nearly 11 o clock at night, it became advisable not to go any further and we camped for the night. Pickets were sent out on all the roads and at the dawn of day not an enemy was to be found. They had retreated to Kingston and from there to Loudon. Without being further molested, our march was continued and in the afternoon we reached Kingston. The battery was brought forward on high ground, overlooking the little Tennessee or Holston River, which was at this place very wide. The other side was still occupied by the enemy's outpost. (The Dark Days of the Civil War, 1861 to 1865:, Frederick W. Fout, F.A. Wagenfuehr, 1903, pp. 180-181)
It is time Longstreet has at last massed all his forces in the evening of the 15th (1863) in front of Lenoire. A night reconnoissance, during which Jenkins brigade has been repulsed, having revealed the presence of the enemy's army, Longstreet conceives the design of cutting off its retreat. The deep and rapid waters of the Holston which render impossible any movement eastward, flow at a short distance from the route which Burnside must follow. Campbell a railway station is nearly ten miles from Lenoire, and thirteen from Knoxville. Situated between the highroad and the river very near both the junction of the Kingston and Clinton roads, gives it a particular importance. In the rear of this point of junction, there is an isolated hill, easily defensible, which commands all the approaches. Longstreet proposes to take possession of it by a rapid flank movement ahead of the Federals. This movement is entrusted to McLaws division which forms the left of the army, while Jenkins in command of Hood's division is charged to follow step by step Burnside's rearguard. When at last the latter's columns are in motion on the morning of the 16th, McLaws taking a cross road has already reached the Kingston road. There is great danger to the Unionists if McLaws takes possession of Campbell's Station, he will close to them all the roads that branch out between Knoxville and the Tennessee River, and back them against a stream that cannot be crossed. Burnside is warned in time and understands the danger, he orders Hartranft who leads the march to move faster and take a cut to the left across the woods, so as to get ahead of the Confederates. The Federals on the run, reach the Kingston road a short distance before coming to Campbell's Station, at the moment when McLaws advance guard is already in sight, Hartranft has only the time to throw the head of his column across the road, so as to check the enemy. The rest of his column forms on the left in line of battle beyond the highroad to cover the passage of the trains and other brigades of the army, which Jenkins has not been able to detain. The danger is averted, but it is impossible to continue the retrograde movement under the very eyes of the enemy, it is necessary to give battle. While Hartranft closes the Kingston road to McLaws first battalions. Ferrero who brings up the rear with Humphrey's brigade suddenly halts and checks Jenkins vanguard, which presses too closely on him. Thanks to the resisting power of this brigade, Burnside is enabled to pass through the public square at Campbell's Station and form his little army around the village, after having started his wagons on the road to Knoxville. His troops pass in the rear of Hartranft, and deploy successively enichelon on his right, thus facing backward, in line of battle with White, in the centre and Ferrero on the right. The artillery is on the top of the hill behind the infantry. Longstreet has not been able to interrupt these movements and Burnside now at ease in regard to the fate of his trains, brings back his troops on the slopes which overlook the public square where his line being well supported is preparing to receive the enemy. (Source: History of the Civil War in America: book 1. Eastern Tennessee. book 2. Siege of Chattanooga. book 3. The third winter. book 4. The war in the South-west, Louis-Philippe-Albert d'Orléans Paris (comte de),Porter & Coates, 1888, pp. 236-237 Available on Google Books)
