On June 4, 1862, Confederate troops evacuated Fort Pillow on the Mississippi River in Tennessee, paving the way for Union troops to take the city of Memphis.
This spoon isn’t nearly that old, but it does bring up memories of another war that involved the people of Tennessee. At the top, appears to be the likeness of the “King of the Wild Frontier” and Tennessee native son, Davy Crockett, wearing a coonskin cap and holding a rifle.
Just below are the words “Volunteer State,” a nickname which dates back to 1846, when then President Polk called on each state to provide 2,600 volunteers to fight in the Mexican-American War. In the span of one week, 30,000 men had volunteered from the state of Tennessee alone, likely because they were still angry about the death of Crockett at the Alamo 10 years prior.