Jacob Shope's Mule Sets the Record Straight
How Historical Research is Rewriting a Swain County Civil War Story
The Swain County Genealogical & Historical Society was pleased to welcome local historian Don Casada for an engaging February presentation titled "Jacob Shope's Mule Sets the Record Straight." Through meticulous research and an examination of original records, Casada demonstrated how historical investigation can challenge long-held assumptions and bring us closer to understanding what actually happened in our mountain communities during the Civil War.
Many residents know Deep Creek as one of the most popular natural areas in the Great Smoky Mountains. Historically, however, "Deep Creek" was also the name of a township that once extended across portions of present-day Macon, Jackson, and Swain Counties. Over time, local tradition linked Deep Creek to a Civil War engagement that became memorialized in local history.
Casada's research tells a more complicated and fascinating story.
Drawing upon military records, contemporary accounts, and evidence from the Southern Claims Commission, Casada presented compelling documentation that the skirmish traditionally associated with Deep Creek likely occurred elsewhere. Records from the 14th Illinois Cavalry Regiment and testimony collected after the war indicate that the action took place at Big Bear's Farm near present-day Bryson City, rather than at Deep Creek.
At the center of the story is local resident Jacob Shope and a mule that Union troops reportedly seized during military operations on February 2, 1864. Following the war, Shope filed a claim seeking compensation for the loss. The resulting testimony from both Union and Confederate witnesses provided valuable firsthand evidence regarding the event, the participants, and its location.
Casada also explored the roles of individuals including Matthew Garrett, John DeHart, and Joseph Washington Welch, whose stories help illuminate the complex realities of wartime life in the Southern Appalachians. By examining the geography of the area, including Alarka Creek, Eagle Creek, Forney Creek, and Noland Creek, he demonstrated how landscape and transportation routes influenced military movements throughout the region.
Perhaps the most important takeaway from the presentation was that history is not static. New evidence and fresh analysis continue to refine our understanding of the past. A claim filed for a mule more than 150 years ago may seem like a small detail, but it ultimately became an important clue in solving a larger historical mystery.
The story of Jacob Shope's mule serves as a reminder that some of the most significant discoveries in local history come from patient research, careful documentation, and a willingness to follow the evidence wherever it leads.
Continue Learning
The records and research methods that helped uncover the story of Jacob Shope are available to anyone interested in learning more about Civil War history, genealogy, and Western North Carolina's past.
Online Research Resources
National Archives: Southern Claims Commission Records
The Southern Claims Commission records contain petitions, witness testimony, affidavits, and supporting documents from Southern citizens who sought compensation for property taken by Union forces during the Civil War. These records are invaluable for historians and genealogists because they often include detailed personal accounts of wartime events and local communities. The Shope claim is an excellent example of how these records can help verify historical events and locations.
Library of Congress Civil War Maps Collection
The Library of Congress maintains one of the nation's largest collections of Civil War maps, including battlefield maps, campaign routes, troop movements, and military surveys. These materials provide valuable geographic context for understanding Civil War activities throughout North Carolina and the Appalachian region.
DigitalNC
DigitalNC offers free access to historic North Carolina newspapers, photographs, local histories, yearbooks, and archival collections from institutions throughout the state. Researchers exploring family history or local events in Swain County will find a wealth of searchable materials. [lib.digitalnc.org], [dncr.nc.gov]
Website: https://lib.digitalnc.org/
North Carolina Civil War Trails
Civil War Trails connects visitors with significant historical sites across North Carolina and five neighboring states. The program highlights military events, civilian experiences, and local stories that shaped the war and its aftermath. North Carolina's trail network includes numerous sites throughout the western mountains. [civilwartrails.org]
Recommended YouTube Channels
American Battlefield Trust
One of the most respected sources for accessible Civil War history. Videos cover battles, strategy, military movements, preservation efforts, and historical interpretation.
Civil War Digital Digest
Detailed presentations based on primary documents and scholarly research. Particularly useful for those wanting a deeper understanding of Civil War military operations and historical evidence.
U.S. National Archives
Features lectures and educational programs focused on genealogy, military records, archival collections, and historical research techniques.
North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
Provides presentations on North Carolina history, archives, preservation efforts, and significant historical events throughout the state.
Recommended Reading
The Old North State at War: The North Carolina Civil War Atlas
By Mark A. Moore, Jessica A. Bandel, and Michael Hill
The Civil War in North Carolina
By John G. Barrett
A comprehensive examination of military operations throughout North Carolina, including campaigns, raids, skirmishes, and the effects of the war on communities across the state. [amazon.com]
North Carolina as a Civil War Battleground, 1861–1865
By John G. Barrett
An accessible overview of the military actions that occurred within North Carolina and the state's strategic role in the conflict. [amazon.com]
North Carolina Civil War Documentary
Edited by W. Buck Yearns and John G. Barrett
A collection of primary source documents that illustrates how historians reconstruct events through letters, diaries, reports, and official records. An excellent resource for readers interested in historical methodology. [amazon.com]
Preserving Our Community's History
The Swain County Genealogical & Historical Society is dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories that define our region. Presentations like Don Casada's remind us that history is an ongoing process of discovery. Sometimes the key to understanding a major historical event can be found in a forgotten claim, an overlooked witness statement, or even the story of a single mule.
By exploring original records, asking new questions, and continuing the work of local historians, we help ensure that the history of Swain County and Western North Carolina remains vibrant, accurate, and accessible for future generations.
Thank You
We extend our sincere thanks to Don Casada for sharing this remarkable research and helping bring another chapter of our community's history to light.
Visit Don's website for more of his work. My Mountain Folks https://mymountainfolks.com/
Learn more about SCGHS Membership here.
Check out SCGHS Events here.
