Philip Van Horn Weems, born Nov. 6, 1837, owned this property, known as Weems's Springs, before the Civil War. In May 1861, he enlisted in the Hickman Guards, later Co. H, 11th Regt. TN, Volunteer Infantry, CSA, was elected captain of the company, and later became major of the regiment. Seriously wounded at the Battle of Missionary Ridge, he recovered but was mortally wounded during the Battle of Atlanta on July 22, 1864, and died two days later. Originally buried in the Griffin, Ga. Confederate Cemetery, his remains were reinterred here in the family cemetery in 1885. After the war, the property was developed as Bon Aqua Springs Resort, and the 11th TN Infantry Regt. held its veterans reunion at the Bon Aqua Springs Hotel on Sept. 24, 1885. Operating behind Federal lines, Major J.R. "Dick" McCann's Confederate Cavalry Battalion was attacked while encamped here at Weems's Springs on August 19, 1863. McCann and 14 of his men were captured by 150 Federal troops of Co. F, 1st Missouri Cavalry and Co. C, 14th Michigan mounted Infantry sent from Hillsboro, while the main body of his command was guarding the Pinewood Factory west of here. Known as the "Guerilla Chieftain," McCann was imprisoned at Johnson's Island, OH, until being exchanged in 1864. A veteran of the Mexican War, he formed the Cheatham Rifles in 1861, later Co. B, 11th TN, Infantry, was elected captain, survived the war, and was court clerk of Nashville at the time of his death in 1880.