The Battle of Blountville took place on September 22, 1863. Confederate forces numbered 1,257 men, while there were double that number on the Federal side. The 4-hour siege began at noon when Union Col. John W. Foster attacked and shelled the town, setting fire to the Courthouse, initiating a flanking movement and compelling the Confederate forces to withdraw. Confederate men, women and children retreated through Brown’s meadows, resulting in a Union victory.