Tales from Tennessee and Beyond: Jack Hinson Confederate Sniper

Jack Hinson, also know as John Hinson, Captain Jack, or Ole Jack, was a Confederate sniper during the Civil War. He was a wealthy farmer from Stewart County, Tennessee. His farm was known as Bubbling Springs. At the outbreak of the war, Hinson decided to remain neutral in his loyalty. This all would change, when his two sons went out hunting one morning and were captured and later killed due to guerrilla threats in the area. The two Hinson boys were mistaken for Confederate guerrillas. The heads of the two boys were brought back to Bubbling Springs, and placed on the gate posts in front of the Hinson home. This led Hinson to become a sniper. Jack worked alone, and took up residence on a bluff not far from his farm. His family was sent to Sulfer Wells, Tennessee for safety. Hinson, by the end of the war was responsible for the deaths of over 100 men. He targeted commanders most frequently. He is the first and only man to single handily make a group of soldiers surrender. His victims also included the men who were responsible for capturing and killing his sons. As a result of this, his home was burned, but thanks to the quick action of his slaves, the valuables were saved. Hinson also served as a scout for Nathan Bedford Forrest, and helped him invade Johnsonville, Tennessee. More history was made by Jack, as he and Forrest captured and then used Union weapons against them. The most notable thing about Hinson is that he was a very old man when he was engaged in theses activities. His activities led to him becoming one of the most wanted men in the Confederacy. He was never captured, and after the war, he died peacefully on his farm.

There have been reports that Frank and Jesse James stayed with the Hinsons. It is believed that they were cousins of Jack's wife. Jesse's deceased newborn child is buried on the Hinson farm.