Maryville College’s Dr. Aaron Astor to lead Civil War symposium at the East Tennessee History Center in Knoxville
Nov. 12, 2024
Later this week, beginning on Friday, Nov. 15, the East Tennessee History Center will host a symposium examining East Tennessee’s role during the Civil War in 1863. Maryville College’s Dr. Aaron Astor, professor of history, is leading the symposium and will be presenting two lectures.
The theme for this series of lectures is an exploration of the East Tennessee Knoxville Campaign, specifically the events of the fall and winter of 1863. Presentations will be given on the military situation, context for the war, divided loyalties and civilian experiences, with particular attention given to Black voices and women’s voices from the Civil War era.
“The Civil War was the moment of America’s re-founding as a constitutional democracy based around universal freedom and equality. The meanings of these ideals are contested to this very day,” Astor said, explaining that this period in history remains incredibly relevant to today’s America. “In Civil War East Tennessee, complex regional loyalties and changing class dynamics made it a flashpoint for a nation divided over slavery and freedom.”
East Tennessee’s role in relation to the rest of the South gave it a unique experience during the war, making it a particularly fascinating topic of interest for historians like Astor. This symposium also comes at a fitting time of year, with November marking an important anniversary in the region.
“The timing of the symposium corresponds with the anniversary of the Knoxville Campaign and the Battle of Fort Sanders, fought on Nov. 29, 1863,” Astor explained.
“This was a hugely important moment in the history of East Tennessee as the mostly Unionist civilian population had been under Confederate military control prior to this time. After the battle, Unionists controlled East Tennessee and Confederate sympathizers often fled to Georgia or elsewhere.”
The symposium encourages attendees to reflect on the region’s history and think about East Tennessee’s involvement in the war from more than just a military perspective.
Astor will give the introductory lecture, titled “War in the Switzerland of America: East Tennessee and the Civil War” at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, discussing the geographic, demographic and political context for the war through an East Tennessee lens, specifically the Knoxville area. It will provide a broad overview of the war in order to set the scene for the overall symposium.
“Special emphasis will be placed on the land, the social and economic order, the politics of the region and on the divided loyalties of East Tennesseans,” said Astor.
Astor’s second lecture, titled “Fort Sanders and Beyond: The Civil War in East Tennessee from August 1863 to April 1864,” will be given at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, and will focus on the military maneuvers in Knoxville, in addition to providing helpful context for the remaining lectures.
The symposium will be held Nov. 15 and 16 at the East Tennessee History Center in downtown Knoxville, with an additional lecture at noon on Nov. 20. Tickets are free of charge, but registration online prior to the event is required for entry. Guests can reserve tickets online at the ETHC website.
Written by Julia Jeffress ’25