Thomas Lanier Clingman

From Dixiepedia: The PC-Free Encyclopedia

Thomas Lanier Clingman (27 July 1812 - 3 November 1897) was born in Huntsville, North Carolina. Known as the "Prince of Politicians," Clingman was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1843 to 1845 and from 1847 to 1858 and U.S. Senator from the State of North Carolina between 1858 and 1861. When the War Between the States broke out, he refused to resign his Senate seat and was one of ten senators expelled from the Senate in absentia.

During the war, he commanded a brigade of infantry from North Carolina. Clingman's Brigade consisted of the 8th, 31st, 51st and 61st regiments of North Carolina Infantry. Clingman's Brigade fought at Goldsboro, Battery Wagner, Drewry's Bluff, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Globe Tavern, Fort Fisher and Bentonville.

Tennessee's highest mountain, also partly in North Carolina, was named Clingman's Dome in his honor.