Middle Tennessee Chronology winter 64-65

[larry_cockerham]

Folks, it's about to be civil war time here in Middle Tennessee. I continue to work on my "book" and still collect data from time to time. If there is no objection, I'd like to post some of the Chronology of the happenings concerning the Army of Tennessee and General Thomas' opposition to their winter tour in 1864. Any corrections or additions will be greatly appreciated. I hope this is of interest. If not, let me know and we'll put a lid on it. Thanks for your indulgence!

[larry_cockerham]

A CHRONOLOGY

September 27th, 1864

Sharp fighting around Pulaski between Forrest, Rousseau and Croxton's brigade and during the night Forrest drew off. Forrest was very much astonished and perplexed to find such a large force in his front. Forrest divided his force and one section reached the Nashville & Chattanooga Road near Tullahoma where they destroyed a short section of track. Forrest with the other section moved in the direction of Columbia and at Spring Hill he destroyed the railroad track, but being pursued by four columns he was unable to proceed North any further.

A federal increase in manpower under the command of George H. Thomas was underway. James Harrison Wilson was about to assemble his cavalry with the help of Hatch and Croxton. Forrest continued to probe Tennessee hoping to disrupt railroad traffic between Nashville and Sherman’s troops in Georgia as much as possible. Hood’s decision to invade Tennessee and his movement in that direction with the AOT quickly brought the attention of federal cavalry.

This was the beginning of one of the classic relationships of the war: Wilson and Hatch matched against Forrest and Wheeler. During their roughly six-month roles as antagonists, these men were to learn much from each other. Certainly their respect for each other’s skills grew with each passing day. Wilson and Hatch were promoted for continued US Army service after the war. Wheeler and Forrest simply became Southern heroes, both riding into legend.

[larry_cockerham]

October 6th, 1864

Croxton's brigade overtook Forrest's rear guard at Cypress Creek, Alabama and after a brief skirmish, the enemy made their escape by crossing the Tennessee River at Bainbridge.

This is one of the first mentions of Bainbridge, long used as a crossing of the Tennessee River just at the eastern end of Muscle Shoals near Florence. There was a ferry here and a narrow stretch of the river as it made a turn to the west.

Now resting peacefully under Lake Wheeler, in December, 1864 this crossing became the necessary goal of survival as the bloodied Army of Tennessee escaped from the pursuing federal army.

[larry_cockerham]

October 10th, 1864

The regiment and brigade took up the line of march for Pulaski by way of Florence and Lexington. For the remainder of the month, the brigade was engaged in guarding ferries from Muscle Shoals to Florence. During this time period, General Hood was planning his movement back towards Tennessee and General Sherman was starting to make his March through Georgia.

Long Road and Powell Road connected Florence with Pulaski and were the main routes for wagons travelling through Giles County. Long Road ran from about Killen (then Taylor Springs) to the vicinity of Appleton in Lawrence County, Tennessee. Powell Road which ran north and south through central Giles County, terminated just east of Lexington Alabama. Officers from both US and Confederate armies were quite familiar with this territory by war’s end. Hood chose this path as his escape route from Columbia and Pulaski.

[larry_cockerham]

October 22, 1864

The Army of Tennessee commanded by John Bell Hood left their camp in Gadsden, Alabama and marched toward Guntersville. In route they received warning of Union gunboats on the Tennessee River, so their course was diverted in the direction of Decatur.

The Tennessee River was a major obstacle for Hood’s Army of Tennessee in the fall and winter of 1864. Fast current and high water kept Hood hesitating as he chose his route into Tennessee. This delay, allowing Thomas to gain strength from re-enforcements at Nashville, along with the brutally cold and wet weather, doubtless caused Hood to forfeit any real chance of victory at Nashville.

[BigPrune]

Hey Larry good stuff here. I live in middle TN and to hear about this is pretty good stuff. Keep it up please!

[larry_cockerham]

I'm scared to ask about your pseudonym. Hope you enjoy the posts. I try to post this stuff as near the date as possible, so it'll be a few days before it continues.

[BigPrune]

I got the nickname Big Prune because my last name is Pruett and someone thought I said Prune so there ya go. I'll be looking forward to these posts.

[larry_cockerham]

Thank you; we'll do more. This period from October through January with the AOT is a rather fascinating time of survival.

I'm relieved about the prunes. I was afraid it might have had something to do with laxatives. A man who has been accused of being full of it as many times as I have, can't be too careful.

[larry_cockerham]

October 28, 1864

One hundred twenty five men were lost in a skirmish with Union troops guarding the river. They moved on towards Bainbridge, a much known and often utilized crossing where the river narrowed and the site of a small ferry. The army actually passed Bainbridge and arrived at Tuscumbia still some twelve miles from the eastern end of the railroad from Corinth and the only source of supplies.

This railroad, a link west to Memphis, was not to be completed until after the war, another example of the obstacles to Confederate efforts. Supply and transportation challenges for the Southerners were never overcome. A fairly reliable bridge accessed Florence, across the river from Tuscumbia. This was the path that the Army of Tennessee was to take on their trek north. Rains in this part of Alabama are typically plentiful in late October. Such was the case in 1864 making this bridge of utmost importance as high water made the Tennessee River a major obstacle.