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Love's Ferry A Significant Element of the CHICKAMAUGA Campaign Trail |
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Shortly after Indian Removal, Samuel Love obtained the portion of the old Indian town of Nickajack located on the north side of the river. Here, with his family and slaves he established a farm and took over the old Indian ferry that became the major link connecting the people of Marion County with the railroad at the town of Shellmound on the south side of the river. Sam Love was also the local mail carrier, using a mule to deliver mail as far north as Pikeville. During the war, Sam Love became a Confederate postman. Early in the war, Andrew's Raiders used the ferry to cross the river on their way south to steal the train. In June of 1862, the command of Confederate General John Adams used the ferry to escape back to Chattanooga following their defeat in the Battle of Sweeden's Cove. In July of 1863 the entire Confederate Army of Tennessee, commanded by General Braxton Bragg, crossed the river here on their way to Chattanooga during the retreat from Tullahoma. A Confederate Infantry Brigade was left in Shellmound as a rear guard, and the 3rd Confederate Cavalry was stationed at Whiteside. In August, the advance elements of the Federal Army of the Cumberland, a portion of General George Thomas's 20th Army Corps, occupied Love's Farm. King's Brigade set up their artillery on the farm, and shelled the town of Shellmound into oblivion. This made possible a mounted crossing, that drove the Confederate cavalry back below Trenton, Georgia. The Federal Army then began crossing the river. General Crittendon also brought down his 21st Army Core to use the ferry to get over the river. For the rest of the war the area remained under military occupation. Sam Love was arrested as a Confederate postal worker and died in a Nashville prison. The ferry remained under guard, with regimental size camp sites on the property. Today, Love's Ferry remains a significant part of the Civil War Heritage trail that is a vital part of Civil War tourism. It has already been established as far as Monteagle Mountain and is being set up between Trenton and Savannah, Georgia. |
Hines International In 1996 Gerald Hines, a well known international developer, proposed to build a $100 million housing and resort complex on the property. Three years later TVA Chairman Craven Crowell stated: "After lengthy review by the staff, it is clear that these large tracts of undeveloped land. should remain available to the public and not be converted to residential and private uses. This policy direction reflects a renewed commitment by the TVA board to preserve public lands for the maximum benefit of the people who use them." "The value of retaining these lands for public use has a higher value than any recreational and economic benefits that would have been derived by going forth with these proposals," said Ruben Hernandez, vice president of resource stewardship at TVA. "Economic growth is important, but TVA's mission is multi-purpose. The key is to balance the use of these lands for the best interests of all." The rejection of the Hines proposal was a clear victory for the best interests of the people, and is a positive reflection on the outstanding qualities of stewardship shown by Chairman Crowell and Vice President Hernandez in their management of Federal property for the people. This should have ended the matter. JOHN "Thunder" THORNTON In view of the overwhelming rejection of the 100 million dollar Hines proposal, it is surprising that TVA is now considering selling the property to John "Thunder" Thornton, a Chattanooga developer better known for his fanatical support for UT football and close ties (with campaign support) to Congressman Zack Wamp, for a 50 million dollar commercial and housing development. What is even more surprising is that they are using the same environmental impact statement that was originally developed for the rejected Hines proposal.
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