The Battle of Vaught's Hill was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on March 20, 1863 in Rutherford County, Tennessee. The American Civil War was fought in the United States from 1861 until 1865 between the United States – forces coming mostly from the 23 northern states of the Union – and the newly-formed Confederate States of America, which consisted of 11 southern states that had declared their secession. ... March 20 is the 79th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (80th in Leap years). ... 1863 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... Rutherford County is a county located in the state of Tennessee. ...

During the inactivity following the Battle of Stones River, a Union brigade-sized reconnaissance force, under Col. Albert S. Hall, left Murfreesboro on March 18. Circling to the northeast, Hall encountered Confederate Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan’s cavalry command which caused him to fall back to a position east of Milton. Pursuing Hall, Morgan’s men caught up with him on the morning of the 20th, at Vaught’s Hill. Dismounted, Morgan struck at both Union flanks, even to the point of encircling Hall’s hilltop position. Hall conducted a perimeter defense and withstood all Confederate attacks, which lasted till after 2:00 pm. Morgan continued to bombard the Yankees until 4:30 pm, when he broke off the engagement, after learning that Union reinforcements were en route from Murfreesboro. Union forces continued to strengthen their position in Middle Tennessee.

Sources

• U.S. National Park Service CWSAC Battle Summaries (http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/bycampgn.htm)