Scott W.Owens
Battle of Pleasant Ridge
Wed Apr 25 22:33:31 2001


I would like to see the source on the eyewitness report of the LOCATION of the start of the fight. In Clinton, "Military Operations in West Alabama," pub 1904, he states that "...Before starting back (across Sipsey) they (Croxton) burned this (Sipsey) mill. When it was nearly burned out, about eleven o'clock (my informant being an eyewitness), Croxton's command was vigorously attacked by Gen Wirt Adams. The Confederates came upon Croxton's rear guard, the 6th Kentucky cavalry. Soon the Kentucky troops were aided by Michigan men. AS the fight was gettnig somewhat brisk a heavy rain started and the engagement lasted until dark complete darkness fell in, the rain falling all the time." Nowhere is there an eyewitness referrence to WHERE the fight occurred, only it was about 11 o'clock.

The following is from an account of the history of Wood's Remiment,of Adams's brigade, from "Military History of Mississippi, 1803-1898" by Dunbar Rowland: "Adams marched with his command from Columbus (MS) to Pickensville, April 5, and on the 6th attacked the rear of Croxton's column, causing it to turn from the Eutaw road toward Tuscaloosa. Adams pursued through the day but could not force Croxton to turn and give battle until about dark, when the Federal cavalry halted in a very favorable position. They were soon driven by a gallant charge of Wood's Regiment, in which Captain Luckett fell,leading his squardron. Thence Croxton retreated on the gallup toward Tuscaloosa. The roads were almost impassable. ADams lost 9 killed and 25 wounded. The Federal loss he estimated at 75 killed and captured, and he took all the ambulances and personal baggage of General Croxton."

This account, which seems to be taken from some report by General Adams, seems to suggest that the rear guard was attacked during its movement on the Eutaw road (???) and caused to turn to Tuscaloosa. Of course, it might have just retreated back onto the rest of the brigade, which was toward Tuscaloosa anyway. Also, when Croxton in his report says he stopped to feed for two hours after marching "several miles" on the road to Tuscaloosa, then (the rear guard) was attacked after the brigade started back on the march. I think this "several miles" describes the position of the vanguard of Croxton's brigade,with which he was marching, and that the rear was "several miles" to the south. Realize that 1500 men in columns of fours on this very narrow road was stretched quite a few miles. Croxton says that the 6th Ken. Cav was driven on to the 2nd Michigan which was (then) "thrown across the road." I take this to mean that the fleeing Kentuckians ran into the 2nd Michigan's moving column on the road, and the latter was then deployed into line of battle (dismounted) to withstand the Confederat attacks.

As far as Yankee bodies being found in fish traps further down Sipsey (where is this from, reference?) my scenario can account for this as well. While Maj Fidler and his two troopers fled the scene of the initial attack to the south, moving up Shambley Creek toward the J.D.Horton Plantation, others, mortally wounded, might as well taken flight to the north and fallen into Sipsey and drowned. A north-bank attack is therefore not required to get Yankee bodies into Sipsey so they might end up in fish traps further downstream. Also, the continuance of this fight was on the road right alongside Sipsey, and similarly wounded Yankees might have fled the fight and turned north or west, falling into the river and becoming a victim of the waters. Wounded Confederates, on the other hand, merely laid were they fell while Adams' medical personnel might care for them at their leisure, the battle moving away from them to the north.

Like to hear more feedback.

Scott Owens