On January 2, 1863, following the bitter, two-day Battle of Stones River, Confederate General Braxton Bragg retreated some 40 miles south from Murfreesboro to Tullahoma. This page was last edited on 10 June 2023, at 14:39. The Battle of Thompson's Station was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on March 5, 1863 in Williamson County, Tennessee.. Gen. William H. Red Jackson, approximately 2,800 men, which Van Dorn had sent out on a forced reconnaissance from Spring Hill. Williamson County Schools /QuickLinks.aspx. Van Dorn ordered Forrest to get behind the Union force and cut them off from Franklin. Battle of Thompson's Station Historical Marker Finally, at about 9 am, Coburns force departed. The battlefield was split in half, north to south, by the Columbia Turnpike. He was ready to make his first probes outward, but a large-scale offensive was still a long way off. The knoll was higher than the one on which the Union left was anchored, and a heavy growth of cedar effectively concealed Forrests position from view. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Photo by Webmaster. Fox, William F., Lt.-Col., 'Regimental Losses in the American Civil War, 1861-1865', Albany, N.Y., 1889, p. 435. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Battle_of_Thompson%27s_Station&oldid=1161723100, This page was last edited on 24 June 2023, at 16:53. As the legend goes, Forrest knelt and wept beside his dying steed. The Union forces were almost surrounded. The American Battlefield Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The FirstBank Amphitheater, a 7,500 seat outdoor concert venue, opened in August 2021. Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Reynolds was directed to move against Readyville, Brig. Fax: 615-794-3313. 6731 Whittier Avenue, Suite C-100 McLean, VA 22101, Stay up to date with all of our latest news, Of the 2,500 men engaged, the Federals suffered 1,446 casualties, 1,151 of whom were captured. Timeline. Coburn was about to run into something new to his experience. About: Battle of Thompson's Station The population has grown from 2,194 at the 2010 Census to 7,485 in the 2020 Census. Thompson CAT Machinery opened off Hwy 31 south of 840 in late 2020. Coburn had never served under Gilbertin fact, he had just reported to himand the reinforcements from Gilberts division had never served with Coburn. Forrest led three or four charges and lost one of his favorite mounts, Roderick, when the wounded horse broke free of the hospital and was killed searching for his comrade on the battlefield. Nathan Bedford Forrest, fighting east of the Columbia Turnpike, seemed to sense the vulnerability in front of him. Forrest immediately established his headquarters at Columbia and set up picket posts south of Franklin. Justifiably worried about being cut off from Franklin, Coburn sent another note explaining the situation with the Rebel flanking force and asking, What shall we do? The Hoosiers responded gallantly, moving down the forward slope of the hill and across the open field to the depot in the face of a withering crossfire from the Confederate artillery. The scanty information Rosecrans was receiving gave him the false impression that his cavalry was now outnumbered by at least 5-to-1. He sent the two escaped slaves, with a mounted escort, back to Gilbert. Whitfields men had strict orders to keep their heads below the level of the fence, but the officers had to keep reminding the men not to show themselves. Battle of the Cedars Fortress Rosecrans. The use of Coburns brigade enabled Gilbert to ready a reconnaissance with no delay, but it is doubtful that it was a wise decision. Thompson's Station | Mar 5, 1863 | American Battlefield Trust The 2020 Federal Census population results for Thompson's Station show the Town has grown to 7,485 residents. The next morning, two 12-year-old black youths were brought to Coburns headquarters. These guns, too, fell silent. Jordan reported back to Coburn, who was with the Indiana regiments on the western hill. As if the outlook were not already bleak enough for the Federals, the Confederates now received reinforcements. From his campground, Coburn sent a final request to Gilbert, again stating the danger of being outflanked and pointing out that he did not have sufficient force to prevent it. The engagement, which saw the Union troops bravely fight against overwhelming odds, ended in their capture after a valiant stand. Coburn was ready for any eventuality as he moved south on the Columbia Pike. From December 31 to January 2, 71,000 men had fought to a grinding stalemate that left one in every three shot, clubbed, or stabbed. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest's favorite horse, Roderick, was wounded three times before he was guided to safety by the general's son. Coburn ordered the two Indiana regiments to advance to the depot and cross the railroad track to attack the enemy battery. On the left were the two brigades of Jacksons division under Whitfield and Armstrong. Save The Franklin Battlefield On February 2, they made a surprise attack on Fort Donelson, site of a crushing Confederate defeat almost exactly one year earlier. [2], .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct,.mw-parser-output .geo-inline-hidden{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}354753N 865423W / 35.7980N 86.9063W / 35.7980; -86.9063. They abandoned their own position, streaming down the hill to the valley below, where Utley finally got them stopped and reformed along the railroad track. Bethesda Elementary School for grades kindergarten to fifth. The 3rd Arkansas Cavalry Regiment was advancing through the yard, lost their Colonel (Samuel G. Earle) and their color bearer, and the regiment was thrown into disorder. Four miles from Spring Hill, Coburn attacked with his right wing, a Confederate force composed of two regiments; he was repelled. Van Dorn arrived in Tennessee eager for opportunities to earn new glory. Recently, the Trust partnered withThe Land Trust of Tennesseeto assist the Town of Thompsons Station in acquiring an important tract. Sherman wrote a letter home to his father, referring to the calamity as one of the most stupid and disgraceful affairs that has happened in a long time. He believed that if Coburn had shown a little more grit he could have brought his brigade out.. In addition, the Trust continues to campaign for land around Williamson County, Tennessee, with notable successes at the Spring Hill and Franklin battlefields. Forrest took advantage of the terrain to move his artillery, unseen by the enemy, into a position where they could enfilade the Federal forces. The Union soldiers of the 19th Michigan and 22nd Wisconsin not captured at the Battle of Thompsons Station, either because they fled, or because they were sick or on detached duty at the time, did not enjoy their respite for very long. The Southern troopers eventually pulled back and Coburn advanced to the former Confederate position, where he vainly awaited orders from Gilbert. Union influence in Middle Tennessee subsided for a while. 1798. Marker is on Columbia Pike (U.S. 31) south of Thompson's Station Road West, on the right when traveling south. He did, however, send Coburn a new supply of artillery ammunition and the cavalry some new Burnside breech-loading carbines. The Federals could not hold out much longer. The 125th Ohio was the only unit to attempt to aid Coburns command. Gen. W.H. With half his regiment gone, the frustrated Utley abandoned all thought of retaking the hill and instead moved the remnant of his command to support the Indiana and Michigan troops. It stood in the center of a battle line that stretched 1,100 miles, from the cavalry-strewn banks of Virginias Rappahannock River to the blue-clad battalions snaking their way down the Mississippi and beyond. Ironically, the other Federal expeditions that had been sent out from Murfreesboro were successful in accomplishing their missions. General Cosby arrived with his Mississippi and Kentucky brigade. Battle of the Cedars Blockhouse #7. Fortunately for them, they were paroled on the spot and did not have to spend time in a Confederate prison. Thompsons Station, the site of the main Confederate battle force, was in the southern sector of the field. The Battle of Thompson's Station | Civil War - Tennessee Vacation Out of ammunition and surrounded, Coburn surrendered, along with all but two of his field officers. Gen. W.H. The Majority of our funds go directly to Preservation and Education. Brentwood, Tennessee - In a daring foraging and reconnoitering expedition, Union troops encountered Confederate forces near Thompson's Station, resulting in a fierce battle on March 5, 1863. The Wisconsin foot soldiers, in line on the forward slope, moved back to the crest of the hill previously vacated by the artillery. Fifty yards north of the depot was a wooded hill, the land between being flat, marshy, and open. He commanded Lieutenant Edwin I. Bachman, assistant quartermaster, to turn the train back, saying that a cavalry force threatened their left. Submit Plans, Building Permit, Sign Permit, etc. Thompson's Station Public Schools are part of Williamson County Schools. Meanwhile, the Confederates were responding to Coburns maneuvers. The height of the Union-held hill was lower than that held by Starnes Confederates. It bravely withstood the shock, and moved steadily forward, though its track through the fields could be plainly marked by the human mile-stones left in its rear.. Federal Identification Number (EIN): 54-1426643. This was the Confederate cavalry division of Brig. At 8 am, the Union column was again moving forward and the cavalry advanced as skirmishers, forcing the Confederate pickets steadily back. search . Majestic Mounts: The Bond Between Horse and Soldier Battle of Thompson's Station | Military Wiki | Fandom The enemy lauded her action. The median income for a household in the town was $66,875, and the median income for a family was $70,568. As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 1,283 people, 447 households, and 375 families residing in the town. The soldiers of Tennessee had rung in 1863 with the Battle of Stones River, also known as Murfreesboro. Then, after studying his orders, he remarked to Bachman, My orders are imperative, and I must go on or show cowardice. Upon being asked what he intended to do, he said, I am going ahead; I have no option in the matter.. Coburn sent Jordan forward to ascertain the location of the enemy artillery. The Union infantry advanced under a cross-fire from the two enemy batteries and the skirmishers. Order. The countryside was wooded and hilly. On March 25, Forrest made a raid on Brentwood. On the evening of March 3, Rosecrans ordered division-strength expeditions from Murfreesboro. The Union line stretched in a semicircle from Lebanon through Murfreesboro to Franklin, with the Southern position roughly parallel to it. There was a church near the stone wall, and the first regiment kept behind it to conceal their presence from the enemy. The difference exaggerated the mens natural tendency to fire too high, and most of the Confederate bullets passed over the heads of the Federal troops. Forrests two flanking regiments faced them across the valley. Battle(s) Resource Type. On March 2, Maj. Gen. Charles C. Gilbert, the Union commander at Franklin, received false intelligence that Van Dorn and Wheeler had combined forces. On February 20, Van Dorn arrived in Columbia with three veteran brigades of cavalry. Rosecrans wired back that he was waiting for the rains to clear up. The causes of this loss, which was wholly unnecessary, appear to have been want of proper caution on the part of Colonel Coburn to feel his way and keep General Gilbert advised, Rosecrans reported, and too much indecision on the part of General Gilbert in either giving orders to Colonel Coburn to retire or going out at once to re-enforce him. A writer for the Indianapolis Daily Journal used even stronger words against Gilbert, saying, He has been the evil genius of Indiana soldiers from the first [and] he had better walk into a furnace seven times heated than get into the hands of Hoosiers. By doing nothing, Gilbert had effectively abandoned Coburn to his fate. To counteract this supposed threat, he ordered infantry reinforcements down from Nashville. About 4.1% of families and 4.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.3% of those under age 18 and 12.6% of those age 65 or over. No demographic data was obtained in this census. After the Civil War agricultural products continued to be the primary economic base of the county. Battle of Stones River. The last regiment of Whitfields brigade lined up behind the railroad embankment out in front of the other troopers. Then, Maj. Gen. Van Dorn seized the initiative. Unfortunately, when he was making his escape through a plum thicket, the flag was torn into ribbons and left hanging on the bushes. "Red" Jacksons dismounted 2nd Division made a frontal attack, while Brig. A special census was taken by the Town in November, 2013 and the new census of 2,681 residents was certified by the State of Tennessee on June 30, 2014. Bragg gave Van Dorns command two more brigades to make it equivalent to Wheelers cavalry corps. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrests division swept around Coburns left flank, and into his rear. 2010 - 2019. Reinforced, they were placed under the command of Bassett and Bloodgood, respectively, and stationed in Brentwood, Tenn. This article about a battle of the American Civil War is a stub. Gilbert assigned Captain Charles C. Aleshires 18th Ohio Battery of six rifled Rodman guns to join the column. Actually, Rosecranss cavalry of 8,000 faced roughly 15,000 Confederate troopers. After gathering public input, the Town worked with planning consultants to create the Land Development Ordinance that went on to receive the Driehaus Award's Honorable Mention for form-based code in 2016. The section of Aleshires battery stationed west of the pike chose this same moment to abandon their position. Already facing twice their number of dismounted troopers, the Indiana infantrymen had worse awaiting them. Harried by cavalry sent in pursuit, Jordan retreated toward Franklin. Tough and disciplined, the men dismounted and moved against Jordans cavalry, who fired on them from behind stone fences. 23 relations. Thompson's Station has historically been a residential community, but growth in recent years has made the area more attractive to larger businesses. The Federals ran into elements of William Hicks Jackson's Confederate cavalry division, but continued to advance. When Cartwright saw a Yankee taking aim on Polk, he tried to shoot the enemy skirmisher first, but his rifle misfired. Out of ammunition and surrounded, Coburn surrendered. He shouted and cursed at his men to reform amidst the bloody confusion and led them on a wide march to the east and north before finally taking position in Coburns rear and cutting his line of retreat. Federal Identification Number (EIN): 54-1426643. Although disliked intensely by Utley, Bloodgood was popular with most of his men, especially those he led away from Thompsons Station, and he later redeemed himself as he gained experience. The other three regiments were equally cautious, and the Federals spotted none of them. On March 5, 1863, during the Civil War, the Battle of Thompson's Station was fought, with Confederate forces led by General Earl Van Dorn defeating Union forces under Colonel John Coburn. A Confederate veteran later recalled that the carnage continued about five hours, and, so deadly and stubborn was the nature of the contest, that at times bayonets actually clashed, and hand to hand fights to the death were not uncommon. In the end, Coburns exhausted and battered men surrendered. After three attempts, characterized by hard fighting, Jackson carried the Union hilltop position as Forrest captured Coburns wagon train and blocked the road to Columbia in his rear. Visitors can learn more about the Battle of Thompsons Station at the 200-acre Preservation Park, which has information sites about the battle and Our FREE Virtual Teacher Institute is the can't miss online educator event of the summer. By sundown, Coburn was in command of the field and somewhat agitated. Miss Alice Thompson, age 17 at the time, was sheltering in the basement of the residence of Lieutenant Banks. One Southern soldier was shot by an 85th Indiana infantryman from a window as he was trying to break in the front door. He continued serving until the end of the war, eventually succeeding to command of the 22nd Wisconsin, and even commanded the brigade at times. During a temporary lull in the firing, Lt. Col. Edward Bloodgood decided that it would be a good time to abandon the fight. In a period of relative inactivity following the Battle of Stones River, a reinforced Union infantry brigade, under Col. John Coburn, left Franklin to reconnoiter south toward Columbia. With that in mind, General Joseph E. Johnston, commander of the Confederate Department of the West, ordered most of the cavalry in Mississippi to reinforce their fellow Southerners in Tennessee. Four miles from Spring Hill, Coburn attacked with his right wing, a . The assault was beaten back by the garrison of the fort, but the daring raid made Rosecrans more than a little nervous. Battle of Thompson's Station - Unionpedia, the concept map Battlefields - Places | Civil War - Tennessee Vacation The drove Union troops back and captured 1200 men. The most important lesson of the fight that the Union army was beginning to uncoil and explore offensive options was lost in the personal bickering. North of town, Confederate pickets defended a pair of hills that rose on either side of the Turnpike. The Federals waited behind the crest and, as the Southern troopers swarmed over the summit, countercharged with bayonets fixed. The infantrymen were in light marching order, their blankets rolled over their shoulders. When the retreating Union infantry regained the summit of the hill, they found much of their artillery support gone, headed back toward Franklin. These men suffered 354 casualties, almost exactly 10 percent of their number. There were 473 housing units at an average density of 32.2 per square mile (12.4/km2). Making an already bad situation worse, Jordan took it upon himself to save the three Union Rodmans on the pike and ordered their premature retirement from the field. Union infantry moved dangerously into Confederate-held territory in middle Tennessee leading to a disastrous battle at Thompsons Station. The three guns of Aleshires artillery battery that had fallen back from the hill on the east remained on the pike but out of action. When the onrushing Federals reached the depot, they found the guns of Kings battery waiting for them. Contact Us. The artillery section on the right of the Columbia Pike was sent over to the left. Gilbert was at least as much at fault as Coburn, which Rosecrans quickly realized. The Battle of The Crater, with EIGHT Tour Stops!: Petersburg - YouTube Deceived into believing that William Rosecranss Union Army of the Cumberland was going to retreat after the first day of fighting, he was surprised to see the Federals stubbornly keeping the field, and ultimately ordered his own army to withdraw after launching an impetuous frontal assault that left the riverbank littered with the bodies of Kentucky veterans. - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Having just arrived the night before, the brigade was described as compact and ready to move. Coburns infantry consisted of the 33rd and 85th Indiana, the 19th Michigan, and the 22nd Wisconsin, all untested in battle. Infantry, with its greater firepower, could normally push aside the lighter armed cavalry, even when outnumbered.
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