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Duncan House

Introduction

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Originally built in 1857 by William Lane Duncan, this is one of the oldest homes in Corinth and has direct ties to the Civil War. Duncan was a prominent local figure in the mid-1800s, serving as sheriff of Tishomingo County (it was later divided into three counties, including Alcorn County, in 1870) and in other roles. Throughout the war, both Confederate and Union officers occupied and used the house. These included Confederate General Pierre G.T. Beauregard in 1862 and, later that year, Union General William Rosecrans. Additionally, it is believed that Union General Ulysses S. Grant visited Rosecrans at the house. Just down the street at the corner of Polk and Linden Streets is a small park (called Duncan Park) featuring a historical marker, interpretive panels describing the role Corinth played during the war, and original train rails from the railroad junction located just 1,500 feet to the south. The house is a private residence and not open to the public.

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The historic Duncan House was built in 1857. Confederate and Union generals and officers used the house in 1862 during the Civil War.

Stairs, Residential area, Property, House

Backstory and Context

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Duncan was born in South Carolina in 1800. He moved to Tennessee in his mid-20s and married his wife, Rebecca, in 1830; they would go on to have several children, including three sons who served in the war. The family moved to Tishomingo County around 1840 and Duncan was elected sheriff in 1846 and reelected the next year. In 1850 he was appointed as Superintendent of the State Penitentiary but left that position as a result of his poor health. However, he was well enough to serve as a delegate to the state convention in Jackson in 1851. Two years later, he opened a dry goods business with a partner that operated for many years. It wasn't until around 1857 that Duncan and his family (Rebecca passed away in 1852) moved to Corinth. He continued working as a merchant and it seems he operated his business in a building on Cruise Street.

Duncan was against secession but ultimately gave his full support for the Confederacy. He became a captain and was appointed assistant quartermaster for supplies in Corinth. In April 1862, after the Battle of Shiloh, Duncan moved his family to Rienzi, allowing General Beauregard to occupy the house. During the Battle of Corinth (also known as the Second Battle of Corinth) in October 3-4, 1862, General Rosecrans was using the house as his headquarters. On the 3rd, the fighting came quite close it, about a half mile away. The next day, there was, apparently, hand-to-hand fighting on the grounds of the house (it should be noted that the house is not in its original location). As noted above, Duncan's three sons served in the war. One of them, James, was killed in 1864 alongside another son, Thomas, who would go on to write a memoir about his experiences during the war.

Duncan returned to Corinth after the war and passed away in 1876. It appears that he had been living with his son-in-law. His son, Thomas, lived in the house after the war and it was at this time that he began to write his memoirs. As for the house, subsequent owners made a number of changes to it. It was moved to the present location after World War I and most recently renovated in 2014.

Sources

"At the Center of Siege, Battle, and Occupations, William Duncan’s Home Witnessed Much Civil War Action." The Historical Marker Database. Accessed December 26, 2020. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=155261.

“A fearful hand-to-hand fight..." The Historical Marker Database. Accessed December 26, 2020. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=155254.

"The Duncan House." The Historical Marker Database. Accessed December 26, 2020. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=155236.

"The Historic Corinth Railroad Junction." The Historical Marker Database. Accessed December 26, 2020. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=155250.

"Staff Officers." The Historical Marker Database. Accessed December 26, 2020. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=155260.

"William L. Duncan: Pioneer Citizen." W.L. Duncan House.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

Tom Bosse, via The Historical Marker Database

Additional Information