Claim: During the East Tennessee bridge burnings, a series of guerrilla operations carried out during the American Civil War by Union sympathizers, parts of the area were placed under martial law, and dozens of known Unionists were arrested and jailed, and suspected bridge burners were tried and convicted, being sentenced to death.
Evidence: The East Tennessee bridge burnings were a series of guerrilla operations carried out during the American Civil War by Union sympathizers in Confederate-held East Tennessee in 1861. Parts of the area were placed under martial law, and dozens of known Unionists were arrested and jailed. Several suspected bridge burners were tried and convicted, being sentenced to death.