A. Dilliard to honor his wife Alexandra, a native of the Russian city, whom he met on a business trip to Russia in 1834.

Moscow, Tennessee maintained close relations with Russia in the years leading to the Civil War, which led to Dilliard’s niece, Lucy Pickens born in La Grange, Tennessee, along with her husband serving as the US ambassador to Russia then after secession serving as Confederate representative to the Russian Emperor during the Civil War.

Moscow is located in southern Fayette County at 35°3′40″N 89°23′59″W / 35.06111°N 89.39972°W / 35.06111; -89.39972 (35.060976, -89.399649),[7] at the confluence of the Wolf River with its North Fork.

Tennessee State Route 76 leads north from Moscow 13 miles (21 km) to Somerville, the Fayette County seat.

[15] Confederate cavalry under the command of Gen. Stephen D. Lee attempted to burn the railroad bridge over the Wolf River, in order to aid Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest in returning to Tennessee from Mississippi.

Union Gen. Stephen A. Hurlbut wrote of these troops in a dispatch dated December 17, 1863: "The recent affair at Moscow, Tennessee, has demonstrated the fact that colored troops, properly trained and disciplined, can and will fight well.

"[16] Compton Newby Crook, who was born in Rossville, Tennessee, and who wrote science fiction under the pseudonym Stephen Tall, grew up in Moscow.