A/N: Published August 3, 2021.


-16-

Battle of Athens

The parade event of a festival had finished in Athens, Tennessee. For a city with a population of 14,000, more than a couple of famous names had made appearances for the event. Constellation (the frigate, not the sloop) was dressed as an American soldier from the War of 1812 and was currently giving a rundown on the Springfield Model 1812 musket in her hands. The Baltimore Clipper, Lynx, stood next to Constellation as the British counterpart. New York and Wyoming, dressed as Doughboys and had an M1917 Enfield and M1903 Springfield slung over their shoulders, respectively, were talking with a group of festivalgoers. New Jersey, in green army fatigues, plopped an AR-15 clone of an M16A1 in Helena's hands as she and Atlanta attempted to round up a group of destroyers. Midway, Missouri, and Wisconsin, dressed in more modern uniforms, were answering questions from a group that congregated around their HMMWV.

Tennessee and California sat in their ? ton 4x4. Their jackets were off and their shirt sleeves were rolled up in the heat. Tennessee checked once again that the magazine cutoff on her M1903A3 was on. California had just closed her M1 Garand's bolt on an empty chamber. Leaving West Virginia and Cleveland by the jeep, the two sister ships slung their rifles and decided to take a quiet walk. Although, the sister ships' quiet walk didn't stay quiet for long. Naturally, along with the famous names the horde with phones and cameras follows – most just want to meet their idols, but others come snooping for a scoop of controversy.

"Tennessee," someone said as a phone was shoved into Tennessee's face. "You were caught displaying 'Sic Semper Tyrannis' during the war. Since you serve this nation's federal mili-"

The white noise faded into the background. A small crowd with a similar goal to the someone that initiated the interview ambush began circling the two Ship Girls. California sighed and looked at Tennessee with an annoyed, but amused, smile.

"Do you want to talk, or should I?" California asked.

"Ah, I will," Tennessee said. "It's my turn, anyway."

Tennessee raised her voice over the squabble and continued walking. She had something to show these people.

"All right! Who here has heard of James Buttram?"

The only response from the crowd were a few confused murmurs.

"Okay, how about Frank Carmichael?"

The response was the same.

"George Painter? Charles Picket? Bill White? Knox Henry? Hm? Just Cali? Okay. Who has heard of Tom Gillespie?"

There was some response of confirmation from one person in the group.

"Okay, got some gears turning, but no. Not the soccer player. Does anyone know an African American Tom Gillespie?"

Tennessee stepped onto the grass at the corner of N White St and E College St. She was met with silence.

"That building down there has bullet holes in it," Tennessee said as she pointed down the street to an old brick building at the corner of N White St and W Hornsby St. "Does anyone know why?"

The silence Tennessee was met with was briefly disturbed when a destroyer ran past them with Atlanta on her tail.

"Who has heard of the Battle of Athens that took place right here in August of 1946?"

Like a broken record, confused murmurs were the only responses.

"I thought not," Tennessee said. "It's not a story the government would tell you. You got some homework to do."

Tennessee tapped the plaque behind her before she and California continued their walk.

~o~

2A 102

Battle of Athens

August 1-2, 1946

The Battle of Athens was an armed revolt that gained national attention. Attempting to end the control of an entrenched political machine, World War II veterans used force to ensure that the day of local elections in 1946 every vote "was counted as cast." After local authorities locked themselves and the ballot boxes in the jail, veterans suspicious of foul play gathered weapons and ammunition and exchanged fire from this hill upon the jail, which stood across the street. The besieged authorities surrendered. At a meeting in the courthouse, and interim government was set up, followed by the election of the veterans' slate.

- Tennessee Historical Commission -


A/N: This was difficult to try to keep the politics to a minimum especially since the topic is political.

There is a lot to this event and some of it is murky. The quick summary is after a decade of corruption reducing voting districts, reducing the number of judges, bribery, random/unlawful fines and incarceration, and voter fraud and intimidation, the GIs returning home formed their own party – the GI Non-Partisan League – in an attempt to peacefully replace the local government. However, like the prior decade, the local government officials were up to their old tricks. James Buttram sent a telegram to the Tennessee governor to ensure a lawful vote count but received no response. Hundreds of GIs grabbed their guns and stole additional weapons from a National Guard armory and besieged the jail until the authorities surrendered. After the votes were tallied, GI party won in a landslide. This wasn't an isolated event as similar incidences happened in other counties.

James Buttram was the GI party's campaign manager.

Frank Carmichael was elected Trustee.

George Painter was elected County Clerk.

Charles Picket was elected Circuit Court Clerk.

Knox Henry was elected Sheriff.

Bill White, leader of the "fighting bunch," was appointed Sheriff's Deputy.

Special mention for Tom Gillespie, an elderly African American farmer who was murdered by one of the prior sheriff's goons at the polls for wanting to vote .

Comments are welcome, but given the nature of the topic, please keep it civil.