In the fall of 1862, a detachment of Federal cavalry scoured the countryside surrounding the recently conquered Confederate Fort Donelson in search of guerillas antagonizing Federal operations in the area. Two of the men they encountered, brothers John and George Hinson, had already been connected to spying, leading Federals to believe they were once again involved. Ignoring their vows of innocence, the Federals tied them to trees, shot them, decapitated them with a sword, and placed their heads on the gateposts in front of the Hinson homestead. Upon learning of his sons’ fates, John “Jack” Hinson devised a plan for vengeance. Too old to join the Confederate army at age 57, Hinson contracted a local gunsmith to build a custom sniper rifle. The resulting .50 caliber caplock rifle had a 41-inch long, heavy octagonal barrel, and an overall weight of 18 pounds; it required support by a tree limb or some other rest when firing. Hinson paid numerous visits to Dover and the area surrounding the Federally occupied Fort Donelson, learning the routines of the soldiers and gathering other intelligence. He also scouted out tactical positions overlooking the river from which he could carry out his intentions. When he felt he had sufficiently studied his enemy,