Question: why did the union exert pressure into tennessee

title: Tennessee in the American Civil War
text: Tennessee was one of the most divided states in the country at the outset of the war . Before the bombardment of Fort Sumter , Tennessee was actually staunchly pro-Union , though there were still a few secessionist hot beds in the western portion of the state . The situation changed when Fort Sumter was bombarded and Lincoln made the call for 75,000 volunteers to suppress the rebellion . Tennesseans saw this as a threat to their `` southern brethren , '' and the only real pockets of pro-Unionism came from the eastern portion of the state . In fact , Tennessee would furnish more troops for the Union than any other Confederate state , combined . However , over three times that number volunteered for the Confederacy . Interestingly , notable general Nathan Bedford Forrest voted against secession , but later fought for his state when it seceded . 

Answer: answer: Tennessee was one of the most divided states in the country at the outset of the war. When Fort Sumter was bombarded Lincoln made the call for 75,000 volunteers to suppress the rebellion, the Tennesseans saw this as a threat to their ``southern brethren.''  In fact, Tennessee would furnish more troops for the Union than any other Confederate state, combined. However, over three times that number volunteered for the Confederacy.