Battle of Sugar Creek

[larry_cockerham]

I listened to a presentation last night concerning the retreat of the Army of Tennessee from Tennessee in December 1864. The speaker touched briefly on the battle at Sugar Creek near the Alabama state line December 25, 1864. He said the battle actually occurred several miles west of the marker on Highway 11. Does anyone have more detailed knowledge of this skirmish?

[jkeith21]

Larry... less than what you probably already know... rear-guard action involving Forrest after Nashville on the retreat back into Mississippi. I looked to see if I could find anything map-wise but nothing useful onhand or that came up in inet searches.

[ole]

Larry:
If you are unfamiliar with it, it would seem a waste of time to ask if anyone has any information. However, I'll wager in our legion of lurkers, there would be at least one with some detail on the skirmish. Perhaps you'll draw one of them out to help.
Ole

[jkeith21]

Originally Posted by larry_cockerham

I listened to a presentation last night concerning the retreat of the Army of Tennessee from Tennessee in December 1864. The speaker touched briefly on the battle at Sugar Creek near the Alabama state line December 25, 1864. He said the battle actually occurred several miles west of the marker on Highway 11. Does anyone have more detailed knowledge of this skirmish?

Larry, Plenty more little pieces like this available:

Forrest And His Campaigns
From an address by General J.R. Charlmers in 1879
Lieutenant General Nathan Bedford Forrest And His Campaigns
Southern Historical Society Papers
Vol. VII. Richmond, Va., October, 1879. No. 10.

</STRONG>

.......The Retreat From Columbia.

Another incident of this disastrous campaign deserves especial mention, as illustrative of the character and service of General Forrest. When Hood's army had been defeated at Nashville and driven back in almost utter despair to Columbia, where it stood broken and sullen on the south bank of Duck river, General Forrest, who had been operating around Murfreesboro', came in on the 18th of December. The inspiring effect of his presence was felt by all, and was thus described by my Adjutant, Captain W.A. Goodman, a man of brilliant intellect, cool in battle and untiring in his devotion to the cause and the discharge of his duty: At no time in his whole career was the fortitude of General Forrest in adversity and his power of infusing his own cheerfulness into those under his command, more strikingly exhibited than at this crisis. Broken and defeated, as we were, there were not wanting many others as determined as he to do their duty to the last, and who stood out faithfully to the end; but their conversation was that of men who, though determined, were without hope, and who felt that they must gather strength from despair; but he alone, whatever he may have felt (and he was not blind to the danger of our position), spoke in his usual cheerful and defiant tone, and talked of meeting the enemy with as much assurance of success as he did when driving them before him a month before. Such a spirit is sympathetic; and not a man was brought in contact with him who did not feel strengthened and invigorated, as if he had heard of a reinforcement coming to our relief." General Forrest was by unanimous consent selected to cover the retreat from Columbia, and to assist his cavalry, now reduced to three thousand, he was assigned a division of selected infantry, numbering only fifteen hundred, but composed of as brave men and gallant officers as ever lived -- not the least of whom was that gallant Mississippian, General Featherstone, whose subsequent conduct at Sugar creek deserves to be long remembered. The advance of the enemy crossed Duck river on the night of the 21st December, and on the 22d Forrest fell back slowly until he reached a gorge between two hills, three miles from Columbia. Here he had slight skirmishing, but held his position easily for the night. On the 24th Wilson's cavalry corps, ten thousand strong, and Wood's division of infantry, crossed, and the pursuit began in earnest. There was heavy fighting during the day, in which both infantry and cavalry were engaged, and at night he camped at Pulaski. On the morning of the 25th he fell back to a strong position on Anthony's hill, seven miles beyond Pulaski. The situation now seemed desperate. It was only forty miles to the Tennessee river, where Hood was crossing, and the infantry had not all reached there, while the trains were some distance behind. Wilson, with ten thousand cavalry, and Wood's division of infantry, were close on him, while A.J. Smith and Schofield were moving on from Columbia. Forrest, with his forty five hundred, as undaunted as Zenophon with his celebrated ten thousand, calmly awaited their approach, and his men gathered courage from their leader Wilson came on, and, as General Thomas says, "Wood kept well closed up on the cavalry"; and I give the result in the language of General Thomas' report: "During the afternoon Harrison's brigade found the enemy strongly entrenched at the head of a heavily wooded and deep ravine, through which ran the road and into which Colonel Harrison drove the enemy's skirmishers. He then waited for the remainder of the cavalry to close up before attacking; but before this could be accomplished the enemy, with something of his former boldness, sallied from his breastworks and drove back Harrison's skirmishers." In this fight, which General Thomas treats as a mere skirmish, the Confederates captured fifty prisoners, three hundred cavalry horses, one gun of Company I, Fourth United States artillery, with eight horses, and the killed and wounded were estimated at one hundred and fifty, while the brilliancy and vim of the Confederate charge astonished the Federals so much that they attacked no more that day. Forrest then retired to Sugar creek and halted for another fight. Having selected an excellent position for his infantry and artillery, and thrown up temporary breastworks of rails, he ordered Colonel Dillon, with the Second Mississippi cavalry, to cross the creek above mounted ready for a flank attack, and again quietly waited their coming. About daylight oil the 26th they were heard crossing the creek in a dense fog. Nothing could be seen, but the commands to halt and dismount could be distinctly heard. Hood's ordnance train had just left Sugar creek, and orders from the river came to hold the enemy back if possible; and every Confederate felt the importance of the crisis. On came the enemy in the fog to within thirty yards of Featherstone's breastworks, when a deadly fire was opened on them, the long pent up Rebel yell burst forth, and the Federals fled in dismay through the creek, with the Confederates after them, while Dillon, charging in the rear, completed the rout. The enemy were severely punished, but more frightened than hurt, and left behind them one hundred and fifty horses and many overcoats, that were of great value to shivering men; but the grand result was that the pursuit was permanently checked and the. enemy came no more. General Wilson, who ignores this fight, says he was out of rations; could not bring Forrest to a fight, and heard the main body of Rebels had already crossed the Tennessee, and therefore halted. The truth is the infantry had not all reached the river, and the ordnance train left Sugar creek that morning. General Thomas, speaking of Hood's army, says: "With the exception of his rear guard, his army had become a disheartened and disorganized rabble. . . The rear guard, however, was undaunted and firm, and did its work bravely to the last."

[jkeith21]

Originally Posted by larry_cockerham

I listened to a presentation last night concerning the retreat of the Army of Tennessee from Tennessee in December 1864. The speaker touched briefly on the battle at Sugar Creek near the Alabama state line December 25, 1864. He said the battle actually occurred several miles west of the marker on Highway 11. Does anyone have more detailed knowledge of this skirmish?

The above was excerpted from: http://www.civilwarhome.com/forrestcampaigns.htm

[jkeith21]

I dont have OR on CD but may be some reference here for you....



SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS.

November 14, 1864 - January 23, 1865.
Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee.

O.R. - SERIES I - VOLUME XLV/1 [S# 93]

Nov. 14, 1864.-Maj. Gen. John M. Schofield, U.S. Army, assumes
command; of U.S. forces at Pulaski, Tenn.Nov. 16-20, 1864.-Skirmishes on the line of Shoal Creek, Ala. Nov. 17, 1864.-Skirmish near Maysville, Ala.
Skirmish near New Market, Ala.Nov. 19, 1864.-Skirmish at Duckett's Plantation,
near Paint Rock River, Ala.Nov. 22, 1864.-Action at Lawrenceburg, Tenn. Nov. 23, 1864.-Skirmish at Henryville, Tenn.
Skirmish at Fouché Springs, Tenn.
Action at Mount Pleasant, Tenn.Nov. 24, 1864.-Action at Campbellsville, Tenn.
Skirmish at Lynnville, Tenn.Nov. 24-27, 1864.-Skirmishes in front of Columbia, Tenn.Nov. 28, 1864.-Skirmishes at crossings of Duck River, Tenn.
Skirmish at Shelbyville, Tenn.Nov. 29, 1864.-Action at the Columbia Ford, Tenn.
Action at the Columbia Ford, Tenn.
Engagement at Spring Hill, Tenn.
Skirmish at Mount Carmel, Tenn.
Skirmish near Rally Hill, Tenn.
Affair at Thompson's Station, Tenn. Nov. 30, 1864.-Skirmish at Thompson's Station, Tenn.
Battle of Franklin, Tenn. Dec. 1, 1864.-Action at Owen's Cross-Roads, Tenn.Dec. 1-14, 1864.-Operations about Nashville, Tenn.Dec. 2, 1864.-Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Wood, U.S. Army, assumes
command of the Fourth Army Corps, vice
Major-General Stanley, wounded at battle of
Franklin.
Dec. 2-4, 1864.-Operations against stockades and block-houses
on Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, Tenn.
Dec. 4, 1864-Action at Bell's Mills, Tenn.
Dec. 5-7, 1864.-Demonstrations against Murfreesborough, Tenn. Dec. 6, 1864.-Action at Bell's Mills, Tenn.Dec. 7, 1864.-Skirmish near Paint Rock Bridge, AlaDec. 13, 1864.-Attack on railroad train near Murfreesborough, Tenn.
Dec. 15, 1864.-Capture of railroad train near Murfreesborough,
Tenn.
Dec. 15-16, 1864.-Battle of Nashville, Tenn.Dec. 17, 1864.-Action at Hollow Tree Gap, Tenn.
Action at Franklin, Tenn.
Action at West Harpeth River, Tenn.
Dec. 18, 1864.-Skirmish at Spring Hill, Tenn.Dec. 19, 1864.-Skirmish at Rutherford's Creek, Tenn.
Skirmish at Curtis' Creek, Tenn.
Dec. 20, 1864.-Skirmish at Columbia, Tenn.Dec. 22, 1864.-Skirmish at Duck River, Tenn.Dec. 23, 1864.-Skirmish at Warfield's, near Columbia, Tenn.
Dec. 24, 1864.-Skirmish at Lynnville, Tenn.
Action at Richland Creek, Tenn.
Dec. 25, 1864.-Skirmish at Richland Creek, Tenn.
Action at King's (or Anthony's) Hill,
or Devil's Gap, Tenn.
Dec. 26, 1864.-Action at Sugar Creek, Tenn. Dec. 27, 1864.-Skirmish at Decatur, Ala.
Dec. 28, 1864.-Skirmish near Decatur, Ala.
Dec. 29, 1864.-Skirmish at Hillsborough, Ala.
Skirmish at Pond Spring, Ala.
Dec. 30, 1864.-Skirmish near Leighton, Ala.
Dec. 31, 1864.-Affair at Paint Rock Bridge, Ala.
Skirmish at Russellville, Ala.
Jan. 4, 1865.-Skirmish near Thorn Hill, Ala.
Jan. 9, 1865.-Reconnaissance from Eastport to Iuka, Miss.Jan. 15-18, 1865.-The Twenty-third Army Corps embarks at
Clifton, Tenn., for the East
Jan. 19, 1865.-Skirmish at Corinth, Miss.Jan. 23, 1865.-General John B. Hood, C. S. Army, relinquishes
command of the Army of Tennessee.

[richard]

Larry, here is the account of the battle of Sugar Creek from the Indiana Boys. Though there is no exact location there are some clues in the writings that may help to some degree. And As I mentioned the book"Loyal Mountain Troopers will have a great account of the action there. Col. Andis I beleave wrote this verson of the 2nd Tennessee Cavalry experience, as they were there.

pg 42 The 26th opened with a heavy fog and gently falling rain. The 2d =
Tennessee in advance, supported by the 9th Indiana, struck the enemy =
about five miles from camp and drove him swiftly back on the main body, =
which was strongly posted on the south bank of Sugar Creek, a deep and =
rapid stream, with high and steep banks. The 2d Tennessee going into =
line, was soon hotly engaged. The 9th debouched from the road and went =
into line in reserve, but so near the first line that we were as fully =
under fire as those in front.

To remain under fire from an unseen enemy, without the stimulus of =
action, is a serious tax upon the courage of the average soldier. The =
2d Tennessee, after a few minutes exchange of courtesies with the enemy, =
were moved to the right flank to make room for us. Glad to move, the =
regiment took its place in the position lately occupied by the 2d =
Tennessee, while the 14th Ohio battery went into position near the line =
just abandoned by us. All this time the enemy's fire was unceasing. On =
reaching our new position we could see under the lifting fog, the creek =
with its steep banks, and beyond it the log barricades, from behind =
which constantly leaped forth the flame and smoke, accentuating the =
"zip" of the spiteful bullets, which constantly cut the air around us.

From here were could also see the slender thread of road leading =
to the ford, across which but two horses might pass abreast. As against =
mounted men the position was impregnable. The situation was not =
encouraging, contemplating which, an officer of the line got somewhat =
excited, and, riding to and fro in front of the regiment, constantly =
shouting: "Don't run, boys; for God's sake, don't run!"

This was an unnecessary appeal. Aside from the disorder arising =
from falling horses, the line stood unwavering. A sharp reprimand from =
Hammond, and this officer subsided. The fire of the enemy continued =
with increasing vigor. It was returned by "the boys" with interest. =
Protected by log works, the enemy probably suffered no loss.

Two companies, under command of Capt. Cofer, were now sent to the =
left of a hill commanding the rebel right and protecting our left flank. =
The regiment, at the same time, moved to the right, making place for =
the balance of the brigade in line. The two companies moving to the =
left reached an angle in the hill - one arm running back parallel to our =
line of advance, the other, and shorter arm, projecting toward the field =
of battle. Dismounting behind the shorter arm, which thoroughly =
protected the horses, the two companies scaled the hill and formed in =
line on its top, overlooking the rebel works in the plain below. =
Company D took the position nearest the field, the other company =
(Company I, probably), going to the left, were in the act of deploying =
to guard against surprise from the extreme left, when the enemy left his =
works, crossed the creek,=20

pg 43 and wildly yelling, charged the centre of the main line, driving =
them back probably three hundred yards, leaving the led horses in a =
triangle, the base and perpendicular of which was too "perpendicular" to =
climb, and the high position in the hands of the enemy. Company D =
hurriedly scrambled down the hill, and, remounting, dashed out through =
the astonished Confederates to a place of safety, where, reforming, they =
rejoined the regiment. In their ride to the rear Company D lost four =
enlisted men by capture. The horses of the other company were also =
successfully brought off.

Cofer, with his company, hearing the battle surging in the centre, =
also tried to get back, but by the time the deployed line could be =
rallied to return, they were met by a body of the enemy, who, seeing so =
many led horses going to the rear, suspected the truth, and went up the =
hill to see about it. Resistance was hopeless, flight seemed =
impossible, but, with a rebel prison on one hand, and a chance for =
safety in a race with death on the other, was but a moment's hesitation. =
Running back up the hill and making a wide detour, Indiana put in her =
"best licks," and, although the rebels had the inner and by far the =
shorter line, they escaped, amidst a storm of bullets, without a =
scratch, and rejoined the regiment, much to their own satisfaction and =
greatly to the relief of the remainder of the regiment, who had given =
them up for lost.

The brigade again advanced and drove the enemy back into his =
works. The 14th Ohio battery was now placed in position, and soon =
shelled them out, and pursuit was continued some distance by a portion =
of the command, the remainder soon going into camp.

These were the last rebels in arms seen by us in this =
campaign. Subsistence for men and horses was becoming a serious =
question. We had received no rations since leaving Nashville, twelve =
days before. There had been little time for foraging. The resources of =
the country were nearly exhausted by the rebel army - men and horses =
were worn out and hungry. A few days were consumed in recruiting the =
horses and securing supplies. The march was resumed and continued =
without incident of special interest, except a very pleasant encampment =
at Taylor Springs and a very unpleasant, not to say dangerous, crossing =
of Elk River, ending a Gravelly Springs, where we went into winter camp.

You need to contact the historian that I mentioned to you.

[gunny]

Larry,

Sugar Creek is about two miles north of the Alabama state line.

It is on SR 11.

Because of the ordinance wagons still being near the creek, it was necessary to conduct one more tough rear guard action.

The actual position of the confederate defense was about two hundred yards south of the creek - either side of the road.

"... about sunrise, Reynolds' and Fields' brigades, of Walthall's Division, were put in position some two hundred yards southward of the ford, across a narrow ravine, where they threw up cover with rails and other material at hand, while two other brigades (Featherston's and Palmer's) were established in a strong position, half a mile further to the rear, which was strengthened by logs, rails and some old out houses. Jackson's brigades were grouped, Ross on the right and Armstrong on the left of the first line of infantry, and Chalmers was halted in a strong position, where the parallel road which he pursued crossed Sugar Creek. Fortunately, a dense fog enveloped the position, and enabled the Confederates to remain concealed.
About half past eight A.M., the enemy's cavalry were to be heard fording the creek, scarcely one hundred yards in front of the Confederate infantry, until several regiments had been crossed over and formed in line. The fog vailed their movements, but it was apparent that , apprehensive of a lurking danger, the enemy had dismounted and were advancing, with a part of their force, on foot, in front of the cavalry. Thus disposed, the Federals came within thirty paces of the breastworks across their path, when from behind it, a broad stream of rifle-balls, cleaving through the thick fog, spread confusion instantly through the Federal ranks, and, springing forward, the infantry pressed their advantage with such vigor that the enemy, unable to recover and rally, were driven back through their horse-holders and among their cavalry, thus incresing the disorder. The creek was about saddle skirt deep, and through it the Federal cavalrydashed rearward, without regard to any ford, and after them followed Walthall's (Field's and Reynolds') dauntless men, charging wiast deep through the icy water. Ross, charging at the same time up the east bank of the stream with about eighty men, rode over at least a regiment of the disordered enemy, capturing anumber of men and horses. At the same time, Colonel Dillon, making a circut with the Second Mississippi, of Armstrong's brigade, crossed the creek above, struck the enemy on the other flank, driving them pell mell up the defile for a mile, and killing and wounding many. Pursuit was now recalled, as at Anthony's Hill, for fear of collision with the Federal infantry, but the position was held by the COnfederate infantry until twelve o'clock, up to which, the enemy having made no demonstration upon the position, they were again put in movement for the river."

From: "The Campaigns of Lieut. Gen. Forrest and of Forrest's Cavalry"

So as you can see - the actions did IN FACT take place within two hundred yard south of the creek and at the creek itself.

[gunny]

Larry,

Sugar Creek is about two miles north of the Alabama state line.

It is on SR 11.

Because of the ordinance wagons still being near the creek, it was necessary to conduct one more tough rear guard action.

The actual position of the confederate defense was about two hundred yards south of the creek - either side of the road.

"... about sunrise, Reynolds' and Fields' brigades, of Walthall's Division, were put in position some two hundred yards southward of the ford, across a narrow ravine, where they threw up cover with rails and other material at hand, while two other brigades (Featherston's and Palmer's) were established in a strong position, half a mile further to the rear, which was strengthened by logs, rails and some old out houses. Jackson's brigades were grouped, Ross on the right and Armstrong on the left of the first line of infantry, and Chalmers was halted in a strong position, where the parallel road which he pursued crossed Sugar Creek. Fortunately, a dense fog enveloped the position, and enabled the Confederates to remain concealed.
About half past eight A.M., the enemy's cavalry were to be heard fording the creek, scarcely one hundred yards in front of the Confederate infantry, until several regiments had been crossed over and formed in line. The fog vailed their movements, but it was apparent that , apprehensive of a lurking danger, the enemy had dismounted and were advancing, with a part of their force, on foot, in front of the cavalry. Thus disposed, the Federals came within thirty paces of the breastworks across their path, when from behind it, a broad stream of rifle-balls, cleaving through the thick fog, spread confusion instantly through the Federal ranks, and, springing forward, the infantry pressed their advantage with such vigor that the enemy, unable to recover and rally, were driven back through their horse-holders and among their cavalry, thus incresing the disorder. The creek was about saddle skirt deep, and through it the Federal cavalrydashed rearward, without regard to any ford, and after them followed Walthall's (Field's and Reynolds') dauntless men, charging wiast deep through the icy water. Ross, charging at the same time up the east bank of the stream with about eighty men, rode over at least a regiment of the disordered enemy, capturing anumber of men and horses. At the same time, Colonel Dillon, making a circut with the Second Mississippi, of Armstrong's brigade, crossed the creek above, struck the enemy on the other flank, driving them pell mell up the defile for a mile, and killing and wounding many. Pursuit was now recalled, as at Anthony's Hill, for fear of collision with the Federal infantry, but the position was held by the COnfederate infantry until twelve o'clock, up to which, the enemy having made no demonstration upon the position, they were again put in movement for the river."

From: "The Campaigns of Lieut. Gen. Forrest and of Forrest's Cavalry"

So as you can see - the actions did IN FACT take place within two hundred yard south of the creek and at the creek itself.

[gunny]

Larry,

Sugar Creek is about two miles north of the Alabama state line.

It is on SR 11.

Because of the ordinance wagons still being near the creek, it was necessary to conduct one more tough rear guard action.

The actual position of the confederate defense was about two hundred yards south of the creek - either side of the road.

"... about sunrise, Reynolds' and Fields' brigades, of Walthall's Division, were put in position some two hundred yards southward of the ford, across a narrow ravine, where they threw up cover with rails and other material at hand, while two other brigades (Featherston's and Palmer's) were established in a strong position, half a mile further to the rear, which was strengthened by logs, rails and some old out houses. Jackson's brigades were grouped, Ross on the right and Armstrong on the left of the first line of infantry, and Chalmers was halted in a strong position, where the parallel road which he pursued crossed Sugar Creek. Fortunately, a dense fog enveloped the position, and enabled the Confederates to remain concealed.
About half past eight A.M., the enemy's cavalry were to be heard fording the creek, scarcely one hundred yards in front of the Confederate infantry, until several regiments had been crossed over and formed in line. The fog vailed their movements, but it was apparent that , apprehensive of a lurking danger, the enemy had dismounted and were advancing, with a part of their force, on foot, in front of the cavalry. Thus disposed, the Federals came within thirty paces of the breastworks across their path, when from behind it, a broad stream of rifle-balls, cleaving through the thick fog, spread confusion instantly through the Federal ranks, and, springing forward, the infantry pressed their advantage with such vigor that the enemy, unable to recover and rally, were driven back through their horse-holders and among their cavalry, thus incresing the disorder. The creek was about saddle skirt deep, and through it the Federal cavalrydashed rearward, without regard to any ford, and after them followed Walthall's (Field's and Reynolds') dauntless men, charging wiast deep through the icy water. Ross, charging at the same time up the east bank of the stream with about eighty men, rode over at least a regiment of the disordered enemy, capturing anumber of men and horses. At the same time, Colonel Dillon, making a circut with the Second Mississippi, of Armstrong's brigade, crossed the creek above, struck the enemy on the other flank, driving them pell mell up the defile for a mile, and killing and wounding many. Pursuit was now recalled, as at Anthony's Hill, for fear of collision with the Federal infantry, but the position was held by the COnfederate infantry until twelve o'clock, up to which, the enemy having made no demonstration upon the position, they were again put in movement for the river."

From: "The Campaigns of Lieut. Gen. Forrest and of Forrest's Cavalry"

So as you can see - the actions did IN FACT take place within two hundred yard south of the creek and at the creek itself.