Here are some of the key actions and events involving Isham Harris during the Civil War:
* Support for Secession: Harris was a vocal advocate for Tennessee's secession from the Union. In 1861, he convened a special session of the state legislature and pushed for a vote on secession. Tennessee voted to secede, becoming one of the last Southern states to join the Confederacy.
* Formation of the Confederate Army of Tennessee: Harris played a crucial role in organizing and mobilizing the Confederate forces in Tennessee. He worked with Confederate President Jefferson Davis to establish the Army of Tennessee and appointed Major General Gideon Pillow as its first commander.
* Nashville Campaign: In early 1862, Union forces under the command of General Ulysses S. Grant launched the Nashville Campaign, aiming to capture Nashville, the capital of Tennessee. Harris and the Confederate forces retreated from Nashville, but they managed to slow down Grant's advance and inflict heavy casualties.
* Exile and Return: After the fall of Nashville, Harris fled to Georgia and remained in exile for several years. He eventually returned to Tennessee in 1865 after the war ended.
* Postwar Governorship: Harris was elected governor of Tennessee for a second term in 1865. During his second term, he focused on rebuilding the state and promoting reconciliation between former Confederates and Unionists.
Isham Harris's actions during the Civil War reflected his strong commitment to the Confederacy and his dedication to the defense of Tennessee. Although the state ultimately returned to the Union, his efforts contributed to the fierce resistance against Union forces during the early stages of the war.