The Battle of Johnsonville was fought November 4–5, 1864, in Benton County, Tennessee, as part of the Franklin-Nashville Campaign of the American Civil War The American Civil War (1861–1865) was fought in North America within the United States of America, between twenty-four mostly northern states of the Union and the Confederate States of America, a coalition of eleven southern states that declared their independence and claimed the right of secession from the... For other uses, see November (disambiguation). ... 1864 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... For other meanings of confederate and confederacy, see confederacy (disambiguation) National Motto Deo Vindice (Latin: Under God our Vindicator) Official language English de facto nationwide Various European and Native American languages regionally Capital Montgomery, Alabama February 4, 1861–May 29, 1861 Richmond, Virginia May 29, 1861–April 9, 1865 Largest... Motto: Deo Vindice (Latin: With God As Our Vindicator) Anthem: God Save the South (unofficial) Dixie (popular) Capital Montgomery, Alabama February 4, 1861–May 29, 1861 Richmond, Virginia May 29, 1861–April 9, 1865 Danville, Virginia April 3–April 10, 1865 Largest city New Orleans February 4, 1861 until captured... Nathan Bedford Forrest Nathan Bedford Forrest (July 13, 1821 – October 29, 1877), was a Confederate general and perhaps the American Civil Wars most highly regarded cavalry and partisan ranger (guerrilla leader). ... Battle of Allatoona Conflict American Civil War Date October 5, 1864 Place Bartow County, Georgia Result Union victory The Battle of Allatoona, also known as Allatoona Pass, was a battle during the American Civil War on October 5, 1864. ... The Battle of Decatur was fought October 26–29, 1864, as part of the Franklin-Nashville Campaign of the American Civil War. ... Battle of Spring Hill Conflict American Civil War Date November 29, 1864 Place Maury County, Tennessee Result Union victory The Battle of Spring Hill was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on November 29, 1864 in Maury County, Tennessee. ... Battle of Franklin II Conflict American Civil War Date November 30, 1864 Place Williamson County, Tennessee Result Union victory The Battle of Franklin was a major engagement of the American Civil War fought at Franklin, Tennessee on November 30, 1864. ... Battle of Murfreesboro Conflict American Civil War Date December 5-7, 1864 Place Murfreesboro, Tennessee Result Union victory The Battle of Murfreesboro III was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on December 5-7, 1864 in Rutherford County, Tennessee. ... The Battle of Nashville was a two-day battle in the Franklin-Nashville Campaign that represented the end of large-scale fighting in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. ... November 4 is the 308th day of the year (309th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 57 days remaining. ... November 5 is the 309th day of the year (310th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 56 days remaining. ... 1864 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Benton County is a county located in the state of Tennessee. ... The Franklin-Nashville Campaign, also known as Hoods Tennessee Campaign, was a series of battles fought in the fall of 1864 in Alabama, Tennessee, and northwestern Georgia during the American Civil War. ... The American Civil War (1861–1865) was fought in North America within the United States of America, between twenty-four mostly northern states of the Union and the Confederate States of America, a coalition of eleven southern states that declared their independence and claimed the right of secession from the...

In an effort to check the Union army’s advance through Georgia, Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest led a 23-day raid culminating in an attack on the Union supply base at Johnsonville, Tennessee. Swinging north from Corinth, Mississippi, toward the Kentucky border and temporarily blockading the Tennessee River at Fort Herman, Forrest moved southward along the Tennessee River’s west bank, capturing several U.S. steamers and a gunboat, which he later had to abandon. On November 4, Forrest positioned his artillery across the river from the Federal supply base and began landing at Johnsonville. In the afternoon, Federal observers discovered the Confederates finishing their entrenchments and battery emplacements. The Union gunboats and land batteries across the river engaged the Confederates in an artillery duel. The Rebel guns, however, were so well-positioned that the Federals were unable to hinder them, and Confederate artillery soon disabled the gunboats. The 21st Michigan Infantry, a company of Shermans veterans. ... Nathan Bedford Forrest Nathan Bedford Forrest (July 13, 1821 – October 29, 1877), was a Confederate general and perhaps the American Civil Wars most highly regarded cavalry and partisan ranger (guerrilla leader). ... The 21st Michigan Infantry, a company of Shermans veterans. ... Corinth is a city located in Alcorn County, Mississippi. ... State nickname: Bluegrass State Official languages English Capital Frankfort Largest city Louisville Governor Ernie Fletcher (R) Senators Mitch McConnell (R) Jim Bunning (R) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 37th 104,749 km² 1. ... A riverboat passing under the Gay Street Bridge on the Tennessee River The river viewed from the top of Neyland Stadium. ... Historically, artillery refers to any engine used for the discharge of projectiles during war. ...

Fearing that the Rebels might cross the river and capture the transports, the Federals set fire to them. A strong wind extended the fire to piles of stores on the levee and to a nearby warehouse filled with supplies. Seeing the blaze, the Confederates began shelling the steamboats, barges, and warehouses to prevent the Federals from extinguishing the fire. An inferno illuminated Forrest’s night withdrawal, and he escaped Union clutches without serious loss. Damages totaled $2.2 million. The next morning, Confederate artillery bombarded the depot before departing. Although his brilliant victory strengthened Forrest’s reputation and destroyed a great amount of enemy war material, it failed to stem the tide of Union success in Georgia.

Sources

• U.S. National Park Service CWSAC Battle Summaries