The Rhea County Spartans: The South's All-Female Cavalry Unit

The Rhea County Spartans: The South's All-Female Cavalry Unit

In the final years of the Civil War, a group of young women in Rhea County, Tennessee, made American history as the only known all-female cavalry unit: the Rhea County Spartans. Born from loyalty to their Confederate fathers, brothers, and sweethearts, they rode sidesaddle into history, carrying supplies, letters, and, according to some accounts, intelligence for the Confederate cause.

As Union forces swept through East Tennessee, these women defied the odds, and the rules, to keep their mission alive. But in April 1865, just days before Lee’s surrender, Union Captain John Walker made them his personal target, arresting sixteen Spartans in a dramatic march through cold rain and mud. What happened next surprised everyone, including their captors.

In this episode, Rod and Steve tell the story of the rise, arrest, and legacy of the Rhea County Spartans. You’ll hear how wartime loyalties split communities, how women stepped into unconventional roles, and how one small group of women from East Tennessee left a mark on Civil War history.

Perfect for fans of Civil War history, Appalachian heritage, and untold stories of women in wartime.

Be sure to subscribe to the Stories podcast wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Thanks for listening!

Jaksot(584)

The Greeno Mine Disaster: Tacoma, Virginia

The Greeno Mine Disaster: Tacoma, Virginia

On December 14, 1910, a deadly explosion rocked the Greeno Mine in Tacoma, Virginia, claiming 14 lives and leaving a lasting mark on the Appalachian coalfields. Today we tell the story of Irish immigr...

28 Kesä 202514min

An Appalachian Preacher’s Fall: Bigamy, Abduction and Deceit

An Appalachian Preacher’s Fall: Bigamy, Abduction and Deceit

A preacher with five wives, a kidnapped teenage girl, and a cross-country manhunt.  This isn’t fiction, it’s the unbelievable true story of Joseph Herman Johnson, a Primitive Baptist minister whose li...

21 Kesä 202514min

Beyond Bristol: The Legacy of the Johnson City Sessions

Beyond Bristol: The Legacy of the Johnson City Sessions

In this episode we explore the lesser-known but historically rich Johnson City Sessions of 1928 and 1929. While the Bristol Sessions are often credited as the “Birthplace of Country Music,” Johnson Ci...

14 Kesä 202512min

Appalachia’s Iron Lady: The Story of Nannie Kelly Wright

Appalachia’s Iron Lady: The Story of Nannie Kelly Wright

Nannie Kelly Wright ran an iron furnace at a time when most women weren’t even allowed near one. Born in Kentucky, raised on the Ohio River, and later married into the iron industry, Nannie became one...

7 Kesä 202515min

The Lumber King of Appalachia

The Lumber King of Appalachia

William McClellan Ritter didn’t just cut down trees, he built an empire. In this week’s episode, we tell his story, from Pennsylvania farm boy to head of one of the world’s largest lumber companies. H...

31 Touko 202516min

Tragedy on the Frontier: The Corbly Family Massacre

Tragedy on the Frontier: The Corbly Family Massacre

On a quiet Sunday morning in the spring of 1782, Pastor John Corbly and his family were headed for church when he realized he’d forgotten his Bible and turned back alone to get it. That action saved h...

24 Touko 202513min

The Story of Gus McCoig, Appalachia's Little Dillinger

The Story of Gus McCoig, Appalachia's Little Dillinger

On this episode of the Stories podcast, we tell the dramatic tale of Gus McCoig, a Jefferson County boy who became one of East Tennessee’s most notorious Depression-era outlaws. McCoig’s story starts ...

17 Touko 202522min

Tennessee’s Gilded Getaway: The Rise and Fall of the Tate Springs Hotel

Tennessee’s Gilded Getaway: The Rise and Fall of the Tate Springs Hotel

Step back in time to the golden era of Appalachian luxury as we explore the rise and fall of Tate Springs, a once-famous resort in Bean Station, Tennessee. Known for its healing mineral spring, lush g...

10 Touko 202512min

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