On Sept. 15, 1861, a short skirmish took place at Tirzah (Burnt Mill) Church between Northern troops and community militia. Union soldiers under Col. Jas. F. Buckner and Capt. Wm. Buckner camped in the church. Capt. Al Fowler gathered Confederates, fought them, and captured 25 soldiers. The area was also a scene of activity by Johnson's Partisan Rangers.