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'''The Battle of Athens''' (August 2, 1946) was a literal battle that took place in Athens, McMinn County, [[Tennessee]].  Because of this, it has also been referred to as the '''McMinn County War'''.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=eSncBZ9E14UC&pg=PA883 Revolts, Protests, Demonstrations, and Rebellions in American History: An Encyclopedia [3 volumes]: An Encyclopedia]</ref>

'''The Battle of Athens''' (August 2, 1946) was a literal battle that took place in Athens, McMinn County, [[Tennessee]].  Because of this, it has also been referred to as the '''McMinn County War'''.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=eSncBZ9E14UC&pg=PA883 Revolts, Protests, Demonstrations, and Rebellions in American History: An Encyclopedia [3 volumes]: An Encyclopedia]</ref>

Several returning [[United States|U.S.]] veterans laid siege to the county [[jail]], after a corrupt [[sheriff]] had seized two [[ballot]] boxes to try to rig an [[election]]. The veterans took the jail using small arms and explosives. As such this is the most recent recorded instance of an armed insurrection against a [[government]] on American soil. It also demonstrated the importance of the [[Second Amendment]] to the [[U.S. Constitution]] in preserving American [[liberty]].

Several returning [[United States|U.S.]] veterans laid siege to the county [[jail]], after a corrupt [[Democrat]] [[sheriff]] had seized two [[ballot]] boxes to try to rig an [[election]] to maintain his power. The veterans took the jail using small arms and explosives. As such this is the most recent recorded instance of an armed insurrection against a [[government]] on American soil. It also demonstrated the importance of the [[Second Amendment]] to the [[U.S. Constitution]] in preserving American [[liberty]].

== Background ==

== Background ==

McMinn County, Tennessee, lies between the cities of [[Chattanooga]] and [[Knoxville]], in southeastern Tennessee. Its two main towns are Athens (the county seat) and Etowah. As of the 1940 census, it had a population of 30,781 people.

McMinn County, Tennessee, lies between the cities of [[Chattanooga]] and [[Knoxville]], in southeastern Tennessee. Its two main towns are Athens (the county seat) and Etowah. As of the 1940 census, it had a population of 30,781 people.

The following [[President]]ial election results might or might not be significant.<ref name=Leip>Leip D, ''Atlas of U.S. Presidential Election Results.'' Retrieved 1 August 2018. <https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/></ref> [[Franklin Delano Roosevelt]] did not carry McMinn County in 1932 or 1936. But he did carry the county in 1940 and 1944. He did so by lopsided margins that completely “flipped” in 1948.

The following [[President of the United States|President]]ial election results might or might not be significant.<ref name=Leip>Leip D, ''Atlas of U.S. Presidential Election Results.'' Retrieved 1 August 2018. <https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/></ref> [[Franklin Delano Roosevelt]] did not carry McMinn County in 1932 or 1936. But he did carry the county in 1940 and 1944. He did so by lopsided margins that completely “flipped” in 1948.

The only other [[Democratic Party|Democrats]] who have carried McMinn County were [[Woodrow Wilson]] in 1912 and [[Jimmy Carter]] in 1976. These two did not carry McMinn County by the lopsided margins FDR enjoyed in 1940 and 1944. (Indeed, Wilson did not even have a majority.) In every other election, McMinn County has voted [[Republican Party|Republican]].

The only other Democrats who have carried McMinn County were [[Woodrow Wilson]] in 1912 and [[Jimmy Carter]] in 1976. These two did not carry McMinn County by the lopsided margins FDR enjoyed in 1940 and 1944. (Indeed, Wilson did not even have a majority.) In every other election, McMinn County has voted [[Republican Party|Republican]].

=== The Paul Cantrell machine ===

=== The Paul Cantrell machine ===

These election results likely represent the influence of Paul Cantrell and the political machine he built.<ref name=ConstSoc>The Constitution Society, "The Battle of Athens." Retrieved 1 August 2018. <http://constitution.org/mil/tn/batathen.htm></ref> In 1932, Paul Cantrell, of Etowah, Tennessee, and his wealthy relatives took advantage of the economic devastation of the [[Great Depression]]. They backed FDR and the [[New Deal]] and worked hard to replace Republicans in county government. They succeeded. Paul Cantrell became Sheriff of McMinn County in 1936, and won re-election in 1938 and 1940. The Constitution Society describes his margins of victory as “slim.” But the sudden landslide victories of FDR in 1940 and 1944 suggest that might not have applied to the 1940 election. In 1942, Cantrell sought and won election and re-election to the State Senate. His chief deputy, Pat Mansfield, ran for Sheriff in those two elections and won each time.

These election results likely represent the influence of Paul Cantrell and the Democrat political machine he built.<ref name=ConstSoc>The Constitution Society, "The Battle of Athens." Retrieved 1 August 2018. <http://constitution.org/mil/tn/batathen.htm></ref> In 1932, Paul Cantrell, of Etowah, Tennessee, and his wealthy relatives took advantage of the economic devastation of the [[Great Depression]]. They backed FDR and the [[New Deal]] and worked hard to replace Republicans in county government. They succeeded. Paul Cantrell became Sheriff of McMinn County in 1936, and won re-election in 1938 and 1940. The Constitution Society describes his margins of victory as “slim.” But the sudden landslide victories of FDR in 1940 and 1944 suggest that might not have applied to the 1940 election. In 1942, Cantrell sought and won election and re-election to the State Senate. His chief deputy, Pat Mansfield, ran for Sheriff in those two elections and won each time.

The Cantrells and their allies took steps to cement their control.<ref>Natural News Blogs, “1946 Battle of Athens, Tennessee, and its Importance Today.” Retrieved 1 August 2018. <https://www.naturalnewsblogs.com/1946-battle-athens-tennessee-importance-today/></ref> In 1941, Cantrell machine operative and State Representative George Woods proposed “An Act to Redistrict McMinn County” in the Tennessee [[legislature]]. It reduced voting precincts from 23 to 12 and reduced [[Justice of the Peace|Justices of the Peace]] from 14 to 7. It passed, largely with the aid of the infamous machine of former Mayor E. H. Crump of [[Memphis]], Tennessee. His machine controlled most of Tennessee, including the governor's office and one of Tennessee's U.S. [[United States Senate|Senators]].

The Cantrells and their allies took steps to cement their control.<ref>Natural News Blogs, “1946 Battle of Athens, Tennessee, and its Importance Today.” Retrieved 1 August 2018. <https://www.naturalnewsblogs.com/1946-battle-athens-tennessee-importance-today/></ref> In 1941, Cantrell machine operative and State Representative George Woods proposed “An Act to Redistrict McMinn County” in the Tennessee [[legislature]]. It reduced voting precincts from 23 to 12 and reduced [[Justice of the Peace|Justices of the Peace]] from 14 to 7. It passed, largely with the aid of the infamous machine of former Democrat Mayor E. H. Crump of [[Memphis]], Tennessee. His machine controlled most of Tennessee, including the governor's office and one of Tennessee's U.S. [[United States Senate|Senators]].

=== Shakedowns and election fraud ===

=== Shakedowns and election fraud ===

After long hard years of service—most of us were hard-core veterans of World War II—we were used to drinking our liquor and our beer without being molested. When these things happened, the GIs got madder—the more GIs they arrested, the more they beat up, the madder we got …}}

After long hard years of service—most of us were hard-core veterans of World War II—we were used to drinking our liquor and our beer without being molested. When these things happened, the GIs got madder—the more GIs they arrested, the more they beat up, the madder we got …}}

Mansfield's deputies treated black returnees worse. According to one account, Mansfield and his men were gunning down black veterans out of hand. The spectacle of blacks wearing the uniform surely rankled.

Mansfield's deputies treated black returnees worse. According to one account, the racist Mansfield and his men were gunning down black veterans out of hand. The spectacle of blacks wearing the uniform surely rankled.

Beginning early in 1946 the veterans began meeting in secret to decide how to challenge the Cantrell-Mansfield machine at the ballot box. In May they had their own political party. Knox Henry stood for sheriff; four other veterans ran for other county offices. The Veterans’ Party ran on a simple but pointed slogan:

Beginning early in 1946 the veterans began meeting in secret to decide how to challenge the Cantrell-Mansfield machine at the ballot box. In May they had their own political party. Knox Henry stood for sheriff; four other veterans ran for other county offices. The Veterans’ Party ran on a simple but pointed slogan:

{{cquote|Your vote will be counted as cast.}}

{{cquote|Your vote will be counted as cast.}}

To try to make sure of that, Jim Buttram, campaign manager for the Veterans’ Party, sent two telegrams on 22 July to Governor Jim McCord and U.S. Attorney General Tom Clark. In each, he asked for help in ensuring a fair election. Neither recipient ever answered those telegrams.

To try to make sure of that, Jim Buttram, campaign manager for the Veterans’ Party, sent two telegrams on July 22 to Governor Jim McCord and U.S. Attorney General Tom Clark. In each, he asked for help in ensuring a fair election. Neither recipient ever answered those telegrams.

=== As the election approaches... ===

=== As the election approaches... ===

In keeping with the above, the Veterans’ Party ran this advertisement in the 30 July issue of ''The Daily Post-Athenian'':

In keeping with the above, the Veterans’ Party ran this advertisement in the July 30 issue of ''The Daily Post-Athenian'':

{{cquote|These young men fought and won a war for good government. They know what it takes and what it means to have a clean government—and they are energetic enough, honest enough and intelligent enough to give us good, clean government.}}

{{cquote|These young men fought and won a war for good government. They know what it takes and what it means to have a clean government—and they are energetic enough, honest enough and intelligent enough to give us good, clean government.}}

{{cquote|Look at the facts—and you will vote for the Democratic ticket. The campaign fight is as old as the hills—it is the story of the outs wanting back in.}}

{{cquote|Look at the facts—and you will vote for the Democratic ticket. The campaign fight is as old as the hills—it is the story of the outs wanting back in.}}

On 30 July 1946, sheriff's deputies in a neighboring county arrested two McMinn County deputies and confiscated a shipment of liquor. The two deputies brazenly admitted they were carrying “election whiskey.” Mansfield completely disavowed them.

On July 30, 1946, sheriff's deputies in a neighboring county arrested two McMinn County deputies and confiscated a shipment of liquor. The two deputies brazenly admitted they were carrying “election whiskey.” Mansfield completely disavowed them.

''The Daily Post-Athenian'' has one item of significance, on 31 July 1946. The Veterans of Foreign Wars post in neighboring Blount County announced they could send 450 veterans to McMinn County at need. This article appeared on the front page, but below, not above, the fold. In any event, Sheriff Mansfield responded by recruiting hundreds of armed deputies from out of county, and some from out of State.

''The Daily Post-Athenian'' has one item of significance, on July 31, 1946. The Veterans of Foreign Wars post in neighboring Blount County announced they could send 450 veterans to McMinn County at need. This article appeared on the front page, but below, not above, the fold. In any event, Sheriff Mansfield responded by recruiting hundreds of armed deputies from out of county, and some from out of State.

{{cquote|It has come to my attention that certain elements intend to create a disturbance at and around the polls. … In order to see that law and order is maintained … I will have several hundred deputies patrolling the county.}}

{{cquote|It has come to my attention that certain elements intend to create a disturbance at and around the polls. … In order to see that law and order is maintained … I will have several hundred deputies patrolling the county.}}

== Overwrought reporting ==

== Overwrought reporting ==

In a classic example of "[[fake news]]," ''[[The New York Times]]'' actually reported that the GI's, or their sympathizers, had ''slain'' Sheriff Mansfield. Recall that in fact Mansfield and Cantrell had fled during the battle. In fact, the battle concluded with not a single fatality. (A report by one source, that Tom Gillespie had died of his wound, has no corroboration.)

In a classic example of [[fake news]] by the [[liberal media]], ''[[The New York Times]]'' actually reported that the GI's, or their sympathizers, had ''slain'' Sheriff Mansfield. Recall that in fact Mansfield and Cantrell had fled during the battle. In fact, the battle concluded with not a single fatality. (A report by one source, that Tom Gillespie had died of his wound, has no corroboration.)

The “fake news” narrative of “lawlessness” by the veterans continued for a full year. In fact, no veteran was ever prosecuted. Windy Wise was sentenced to one to three years for shooting Gillespie.

The fake news narrative of “lawlessness” by the veterans continued for a full year. In fact, no veteran was ever prosecuted. Windy Wise was sentenced to one to three years for shooting Gillespie.

==Aftermath==

==Aftermath==

Once life started to return to normal, elections were held. Knox Henry won election as sheriff. Pat Mansfield resigned his office on 4 August, effective immediately. Knox Henry took his place at once.

Once life started to return to normal, elections were held. Knox Henry won election as sheriff. Pat Mansfield resigned his office on August 4, effective immediately. Knox Henry took his place at once.

In the first days that followed, tensions ran high. The veterans feared a counterattack by forces owned by or loyal to Cantrell. No such attack ever came. They also governed as a vigilance committee to keep rioting and looting from breaking out. That ended with the recognition of Knox Henry as the new sheriff.

In the first days that followed, tensions ran high. The veterans feared a counterattack by forces owned by or loyal to Cantrell. No such attack ever came. They also governed as a vigilance committee to keep rioting and looting from breaking out. That ended with the recognition of Knox Henry as the new sheriff.