thoughts

The thought manifests as the word. The word manifests as the deed. The deed develops into habit. And the habit hardens into character. 
--Buddha  

Above: Limestone Cove Recreation Area, Unicoi, TN, earlier this week. Directions here. 

old trail

History is the record of an encounter between character and circumstances.
--Donald Creighton 

Above: Mossy timbers mark the trail at the Limestone Cove Recreation Area which follows the same route of the narrow gauge railroad that once brought timber from Unaka Mountain down to Unicoi, TN.

The Limestone Cove Tragedy

A historical marker in Unicoi County marks the site of a bloody incident that speaks volumes about the impact of the Civil War on upper east Tennessee. It's easy to assume that since Tennessee was among the eleven Confederate States that all residents of Tennessee at that time supported secession and the Confederate cause. But the history of this region is much more complicated that simply drawing a line north and south. My first recognition of this came when I was still living in Illinois ("The Land of Lincoln") and read about a small college called Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN. Strange, I thought, a college in the South named for the Great Emancipator. Upon moving to to east Tennessee, I found it fascinating that most cities in the area had a "Union Street" and a "Lincoln Street." When I asked local folks about this, they said that east Tennessee was pro-Union during the war. And while that is true, it's also an over generalization.

One hundred and forty five years ago, the Limestone Cove Massacre occurred in what is now Unicoi County (it was created from parts of Washington and Carter Counties in 1875). The site of the massacre was the Bell house, which originally stood across the road from the Bell Cemetery. A 1903 book entitled History of the Thirteenth Regiment, Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry describes the incident in all its gory detail. The Bell family is said to have been well known and respected in Carter County. Yet neighbors led the Confederate troops to this home of Union sympathizers -- and upon finding a house full of men enroute to join the ranks of the Union army, the Confederate troops killed the men and burned down the house. The roadside historical marker at Bell Cemetery gives a brief account...

Limestone Cove Tragedy
Here are buried the eight civilians killed at the home of Dr. David Bell in Nov 1863. Enroute to Kentucky to join Federal Forces, they were found by a detachment of Col. W. A. Witcher’s Confederate Cavalry, while waiting for breakfast. They were: B. Blackburn, Calvin Cantrel, Elijah Gentry, Jacob Lyons, Wiley Royal, John Sparks and two unknown. Buried nearby is Dr. Bell's brother, James killed at the same time.

Rocky Branch and Limestone Cove Trail

Not to be confused with Rocky Fork, the mammoth tract of land in Unicoi County which as been preserved following a development controversy, Rocky Branch is a small stream in the Limestone Cove area of Unicoi County, TN. While the angle of this photo makes this look like a sizable waterfall, it's probably only two or three feet high! The trail starts from just beyond the old Limestone Cove campground and runs 3.9 miles to Stamping Ground Ridge high atop Unaka Mountain. The first mile or so is a fairly easy stroll, from then on, it's very steep! Expect a workout. Eventually you'll intersect with the trail coming down from Stamping Ground Ridge, turn right onto this trail and you'll soon arrive at your destination.  The better, easier way (and really the only sane way) to get to Stamping Ground Ridge is from the top of the mountain via Unaka Mountain Road (click here for directions).

Click here for photos of the views from Stamping Ground Ridge.

Directions to Rocky Branch and the Limestone Cove Trail: (Map here) From I-26 take the Unicoi exit (#32). At the end of exit ramp turn east towards town. At the stop sign, turn right onto Unicoi Road (which is also known locally as the Erwin Highway) and proceed for 0.7 miles. Follow the signs pointing to the Cherokee National Forest by turning left onto Rt. 107 (Limestone Cove Road). Drive for approximately 3.5 miles, you'll see the Limestone Cove picnic area on your left, Rocky Branch Road is on the right. Turn right here and follow Rocky Branch Road for approximately 1/3 mile till you reach a gate and a gravel parking area on your left. Park your vehicle and then continue following the forest service road on foot for approx. 1/2 mile, just before the road makes a sharp turn to the left and crosses Rocky Branch, look for a trailhead marker on your right -- this is where your adventure really begins! :)

Limestone Cove

Just outside of the town of Unicoi, TN is a small park called Limestone Cove. It's used in the summer as a picnic area and a place to fish in North Indian Creek. This time of year the park is quiet, but still a great place to go for a walk with the dog on the trails that circle the park.

Directions: From I-26 take the Unicoi exit (#32). At the end of exit ramp turn east towards town. At the stop sign, turn right onto Unicoi Road (which is also known locally as the Erwin Highway) and proceed for 0.7 miles. Follow the signs pointing to the Cherokee National Forest by turning left onto Rt. 107 (Limestone Cove Road). Drive for approximately 3.5 miles, the park is on the left.