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Impromptu Female Colorbearer

The Battle of Thompson's Station was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on March 5, 1863 in Williamson County, Tennessee.

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. Four miles from Spring Hill, Coburn attacked with his right wing, a Confederate Army force composed of two regiments; he was repelled. Then, Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn seized the initiative. Brig. Gen. W.H. "Red" Jackson's dismounted 2nd Division made a frontal attack, while Brig. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest's division swept around Coburn's left flank, and into his rear. After three attempts, characterized by hard fighting, Jackson carried the Union hilltop position as Forrest captured Coburn's wagon train and blocked the road to Nashville in his rear. Out of ammunition and surrounded, Coburn surrendered, along with all but two of his field officers. Union influence in Middle Tennessee subsided for a while.

Van Dorn and Forrest received help with their victory from an unlikely participant. Miss Alice Thompson, age 17 at the time, was visiting the residence of Lieutenant Banks. The Third Arkansas Cavalry regiment was advancing through the yard, lost their Colonel (Samuel G. Earle), their color bearer and the regiment was thrown into disorder. Miss Alice Thompson rushed out, raised the flag and led the regiment to victory. The enemy lauded her action.[1]

References

.[1] Ridley, Bromfield L. Chat with Col. W.S. McLemore, Battles and Sketches of the Army of Tennessee, Missouri Printing and Publishing Company, Mexico, Missouri, 1906, p. 177

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Thompson's_Station

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The Confederates ducked for cover as shells carved furrows down dirt roads and blew down sturdy walls. When they looked up, the Union attackers were almost on top of them. War cries and musketry cut the air as the Confederates rose up and counter-charged. At one point 17 year-old Alice Thompson dashed into the open and waved a Confederate battle flag aloft, exhorting the men to new heights. The attacking party tumbled back to the hills bisected by the Turnpike and the fighting intensified as the Union guns banged away at the Southern pursuers.
http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/untold-stories/thompsons-station.html

See also

http://www.midtneyewitnesses.com/still-standing/spring-hill/homestead

http://www.civilwarnews.com/preservation/thompsonwade.htm

http://civilwartalk.com/threads/march-5-1863-battle-of-thompson-station.7358/

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