MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Before there were pandas or even a zoo here, blues music on Beale Street and the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, a notable Wisconsinite briefly made the headlines when he fled his quarters in only a nightshirt.
Historian Robert Montgomery stands in General Washburn's Escape Alley in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. Gen. Cadwallader C. Washburn, who commanded Union troops in the city, escaped the Confederate army through the alley in 1864 during the Civil War, eight years before being elected Wisconsin's 11th governor.
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Cadwallader C. Washburn served in the Civil War and was Wisconsin's governor from 1872 to 1874.
The 3/4-mile alley has been named General Washburn's Escape Alley for more than 100 years, but than this sign is the only mention of Washburn, who was born in Maine, came to Mineral Point in the 1840s and would go onto to be a successful businessman, politician and Civil War general.
A street car makes its way through downtown Memphis, Tennessee, and passes a section of General Washburn's Escape Alley. The future Wisconsin governor fled through the alley in 1864 to avoid invading Confederate troops.
The Memphis, Tennessee, skyline is seen from AutoZone Park, which opened in 2001 and is home to the Memphis Redbirds, the Triple A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Memphis is known for its music, food and National Civil Rights Museum, but it also has a zoo with a pair of pandas who spend most of their waking hours gnawing on bamboo.
The Washburn is an apartment building in downtown Memphis, Tennessee, with retail on the first floor. It is named not after Cadwallader Washburn but after the adjacent alley that bears his name.
General Washburn's Escape Alley winds through downtown Memphis, Tennessee, and in 2019 part of it was painted with murals. This section of alley is also used by the Rendezvous, a nearby barbecue restaurant, for outdoor seating in cooler months.
General Cadwallader C. Washburn was a prolific writer during the Civil War and many of his letters are in the archives of the Wisconsin Historical Society.
Otis Redding died in Madison in 1967 when his plane crashed into Lake Monona. In 1962, the musician came to Memphis, Tennessee, from Georgia to record with famed blues guitarist Johnny Jenkins. This plaque is near the city's downtown.
Photos: General Washburn's Escape Alley in Memphis, Tennessee
General Washburn's Escape Alley
A street car makes its way through downtown Memphis, Tennessee, and passes a section of General Washburn's Escape Alley. The future Wisconsin governor fled through the alley in 1864 to avoid invading Confederate troops.
General Washburn's Escape Alley
Historian Robert Montgomery stands in General Washburn's Escape Alley in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. Gen. Cadwallader C. Washburn, who commanded Union troops in the city, escaped the Confederate army through the alley in 1864 during the Civil War, eight years before being elected Wisconsin's 11th governor.
General Washburn's Escape Alley
The Memphis, Tennessee, skyline is seen from AutoZone Park, which opened in 2001 and is home to the Memphis Redbirds, the Triple A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.
General Washburn's Escape Alley
Otis Redding died in Madison in 1967 when his plane crashed into Lake Monona. In 1962, the musician came to Memphis, Tennessee, from Georgia to record with famed blues guitarist Johnny Jenkins. This plaque is near the city's downtown.
General Washburn's Escape Alley
One portion of General Washburn's Escape Alley in downtown Memphis, Tennessee.
General Washburn's Escape Alley
The Washburn is an apartment building in downtown Memphis, Tennessee, with retail on the first floor. It is named not after Cadwallader Washburn but after the adjacent alley that bears his name.
General Washburn's Escape Alley
Memphis is known for its music, food and National Civil Rights Museum, but it also has a zoo with a pair of pandas who spend most of their waking hours gnawing on bamboo.
General Washburn's Escape Alley
Cadwallader C. Washburn served in the Civil War and was Wisconsin's governor from 1872 to 1874.
General Washburn's Escape Alley
General Cadwallader C. Washburn was a prolific writer during the Civil War and many of his letters are in the archives of the Wisconsin Historical Society.
General Washburn's Escape Alley
A file at the Wisconsin Historical Society holds the actual letters written and received by General Cadwallader C. Washburn during the Civil War. For much if his time in the service, he was stationed in Memphis, Tennessee.
General Washburn's Escape Alley
A visit to Sun Studios is a must when visiting Memphis, Tennessee. This drum kit was left behind by U2 when the band recorded three songs here in 1987 for its Rattle & Hum album.
General Washburn's Escape Alley
Sun Studios is where legends, from left, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash took part in an impromptu jam session in 1956.
General Washburn's Escape Alley
The Lorraine Motel is where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in 1968. The building is now part of the National Civil Rights Museum.
General Washburn's Escape Alley
General Washburn's Escape Alley
General Washburn's Escape Alley
General Washburn's Escape Alley
The 3/4-mile alley has been named General Washburn's Escape Alley for more than 100 years, but than this sign is the only mention of Washburn, who was born in Maine, came to Mineral Point in the 1840s and would go onto to be a successful businessman, politician and Civil War general.
General Washburn's Escape Alley
General Washburn's Escape Alley winds through downtown Memphis, Tennessee, and in 2019 part of it was painted with murals. This section of alley is also used by the Rendezvous, a nearby barbecue restaurant, for outdoor seating in cooler months.
Barry Adams covers regional news for the Wisconsin State Journal. Send him ideas for On Wisconsin at 608-252-6148 or by email at badams@madison.com.
