The Morning Jonesville Woke to War at Its Doorstep

 

A House Under Fire: The Battle of Jonesville (January 3, 1864)

By Jerry Buchanan

While the Dickinson-Milbourn House was built to signify permanence, it nearly met its end during the American Civil War. On a freezing morning in January 1864, the rolling hills of Lee County became a tactical chessboard.

The Conflict at a Glance

The battle was part of a larger struggle for control over the Cumberland Gap and the vital saltworks in nearby Saltville.

  • The Engagement: Confederate forces under Brig. Gen. William E. "Grumble" Jones launched a surprise dawn attack against the Union’s 16th Illinois Cavalry and the 22nd Ohio Battery, who were camped around the Jonesville courthouse and surrounding farms.

  • The Fighting: The Dickinson-Milbourn property sat in the immediate vicinity of the skirmish lines. As Confederate troops pushed the Union forces back toward the center of town, the house stood as a prominent landmark in the crossfire.

  • The Outcome: The battle was a decisive Confederate victory. After hours of heavy artillery exchange and house-to-house fighting, nearly 400 Union soldiers surrendered.

The House as a Witness

Imagine the mahogany staircase—usually reserved for the fine clothes of the Dickinson heirs—suddenly vibrating with the thud of cannon fire. During the height of the battle, many private homes in Jonesville were used as makeshift hospitals or tactical lookouts.

While the house survived the day, it did so while overlooking a landscape transformed by conflict. The fact that the Flemish bond brickwork and the original smokehouse remained intact after such a significant military engagement is nothing short of miraculous. It wasn't just a home; it was a survivor of the "War Between the States."

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