Enlistment Locations of Williamson County, TN-born African American Civil War Veterans

I have created a map showing all the locations where the African American men who were born in Williamson County and went on to enlist in the US Army and Navy during the Civil War enlisted.  It is fascinating to see how far many of them traveled in their young lives before they joined the service.  Most of them were only in their late teens or early twenties.  Some appear to have made it to northern states and gained their freedom - likely by escaping slavery and fleeing.  Once there, they made the brave choice to return south to fight for the freedom of their families and future generations.  Other men enlisted farther south and west of Williamson County.  These men probably illustrate the effects of the cotton industry.  They were likely sold or taken to these new locations to farm cotton for their enslavers.  The majority, however, appear to have been kept in the middle Tennessee area where they enlisted and served.