Union City experienced its share of action during the Civil War. In the early months of 1861 Camp Brown, which housed up to ten thousand Confederate soldiers, was established one mile north of Union City in preparation for General Leonidas Polk's invasion of Kentucky and occupation of Columbus in September 1861. March 31,1862 was the first of 4 battles or skirmishes in Union City, TN. Col. Ed Pickett was commander of Camp Brown in Union City with the 21st Tenessee Infantry and 7th Tennessee Calvary commanded by Col. William H. Jackson. A brigade commanded by Col. Napolean Buford landed in Hickman, KY, 15 miles to the north and marched toward Union City. The Federals surprised the Rebel soldiers early in the morning, completely routing them, capturing the garrison and many prisoners and eating the breakfast the Rebels had cooked. Col. Pickett escaped on a mule bareback in his night clothes. Two Rebels were killed.
2nd Battle of Union City, TN Dec. 23, 1862, Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest West Tennessee Raid
Submitted by brsowell on Wed, 02/02/2011 - 20:21
After destroying 15 miles of rail track in the Obion River Bottoms Gen. Forrest moved toward Union City. The second battle was Dec. 23, 1862 during the raids of West Tennessee. The Federal Commander in Union City was Capt. Samuel B. Logan commanding 106 men of the 54th Illinios Infantry. Gen. Forrest easily overran the Yankees and burned the depot, disrupted communications, and gathered supplies. The Federals were captured without the Rebels firing a shot. The General moved on from Union City to Jordan, KY and burned the depot there.
3rd Battle of Union City, TN July 10, 1863
Submitted by brsowell on Wed, 02/02/2011 - 20:25
The third attack was on July 10, 1863. Union City was then occupied by the 4th Missouri Calvary. Gen. Forrest again captured Federal troops, burned the depot, and gathered supplies.
4th Battle of Union City, TN March 24, 1864
Submitted by brsowell on Wed, 02/02/2011 - 20:56
In March of 1864, Union City was garrisoned by Seventh Tennessee Calvary, USA, Colonel Isaac Hawkins in command. Reaching the city on the 13th, he put his 500-man force to work strengthening the defenses. On the 23rd, reports reaching Col. Hawkins said of General Nathan Bedford Forrest with 7,000 men and artillery moving toward their position from Jackson. Gen. Forrest had once again moved his command to West Tennessee, following his great victory at Brice’s Crossroads in Mississippi. This was the third time during the war that Gen. Forrest or part of his command had been to Union City. He had just been given the fragments of three Kentucky regiments, and one of his purposes for coming here was to equip them. Leaving Columbus, Miss., on the 15th, he reached Jackson on the 20th. A battalion was sent toward Memphis to keep a lookout in that direction. A regiment was detailed to garrison Jackson, while on the 22nd, Gen. Forrest, his escort company, the Seventh Tennessee Calvary, CSA, and 12th Kentucky Infantry, CSA established a recruiting station in Trenton. Having heard that the Federal garrison at Union City was well equipped, he concluded that this would be an ideal point at which to “draw” his supplies. He dispatched Colonel William Duckworth to Union City with a detactment consisting of the Seventh TN Calvary, Lt. Faulkner’s Kentucky Infantry, and Lt. John McDonald’s battalion, about 475 men. They carried no artillery.
Their departure was recalled by a trooper as follows: “Gen. Forrest came ridin up the line, sayin’, ‘You da___ed boys have been braggin’ you could whip half a dozen Tennessee Yankees. You are the 7th TN Rebs, the 7th TN Yanks are in Union City, I am goin’ to send you there to clean them out, if you don’t, never come back.’ All he had to say.”
As the Confederates neared Union City, there was concern in the air in the Federal camp. Col. Hawkins, recalling his previous experience with Forrest in 1862, had taken the precaution to notify Brigadier General Mason Brayman, the district commander at Cairo, Ill. Brayman, unsure whether the objective was Union City or Paducah, Ky., sent Captain Odlin assistant Adjutant-General and Chief-of-Staff, to Union City to get an on-hand report. Just as his train arrived in the early morning hours of March 24th, the Federal pickets were driven back and the telegraph lines cut. Convinced now that the attack was meant for Union City rather than Paducah, Capt. Odlin ordered Hawkins to hold out ‘til reinforcements arriving from Cairo by way of river transport. Having been ordered not to endanger his train, he immediately returned to Columbus, Ky., passing over a burning bridge near Union City. From Columbus he sent a report to Gen. Brayman, that Union City be reinforced as soon as possible.
The doubled guard of pickets had been quickly driven back to the fort near the railroad station as the Confederates opened fire at about 4 a.m. Two yankees were killed before they could reach safety. The fort was 70 yards square with earthen walls 10 feet high. Logs had been placed on top of the walls and small gunports dug beneath them every few yards. An abatis (these are sharpened tree limbs placed close together pointed at the enemy) had been constructed around the fort.
The Confederates swiftly moved to encircle the fort. According to their information, there were no fortifications, but the light from a burning house, fired by the Federals to make their besiegers better targets, soon showed their task would be more difficult than first imagined. Sharpshooters exchanged for a short time. Then, about 5:30 a.m., the defenders got their first good look at the Rebels. A large body of calvary came at full charge toward the fort from the south. After a brief exchange, they were forced to retreat. The Rebels then dismounted and renewed the attack which came with fierce fighting, to within 20 yards of the breastworks. This time, there was loss to both sides. The attack was launched by Ly. Faulkner’s men. Lt. Col. W.B. Lannum and R.R. Hammerly, Orderly Sergeant were severely wounded. Two more unsuccessful charges were made.
Following the fourth unsuccessful charge, the Confederates fell back from the fort, taking cover behind the fallen trees, stumps and railway embankment. Sharpshooters on sides kept up continuous fire until about 9 a.m. The Yankees were jubilant, since they were sure they had taken all the Rebels had to offer and could hold ’til the promised reinforcement could arrive.
Within the ranks, a spirit of doom had developed over the Confederate soldiers. Many were no doubt thinking of what Gen. Forrest would say when he was informed that they had not been successful in taking the fort. Then someone had an idea. The idea was proposed to send in a demand for surrender, worded in Forrest’s customary blood-curdling style and signed with his name. This coupled with Col. Hawkins previous experience with Forrest, they hoped would accomplish by strategy what force of arms had failed to do. In addition to this, the men made ready their “home-made artillery” with which to impress the “home-made” Yankees. A black log was placed on the front wheels of a wagon, drawn by two mules, with an old box on other wheels in imitation of a caisson.
The plan was that when the flag of truce went out demanding surrender, the buglar would sound the artillery call. Soldiers lying in the cut timber would yell lustily, another artillery call, and at a different point, more ringing cheers from the soldiers. One soldier’s account was, “The boys began to feel as if Forrest had changed his purpose and was really here with all the artillery.” At about 9:30 a.m., the flag of truce was sent out with the note of surrender. The surrender note read: “SIR, I have your garrison completely surrounded, and demand that an unconditional surrender of your forces. If you comply with the demand, you are promised the treatment due to prisoners of war, according to usages in civilized warfare. If you persist in defense, you must take the consequences. By order of Major General N.B. Forrest.”
Col. Hawkins replied, begging time to consider and demanding to see Forrest in person. The Rebel troops were in full view, in the logs and stumps. The truce escort retired, and in twenty minutes, again came. This time Col. Duckworth was present with flag. Hawkins was informed that Forrest was not in the habit of meeting with officers inferior in rank. Hawkins was again presented with the note demanding unconditional surrender. It was stated that they did not care if he surrendered or not. They were prepared to open fire with artillery which had just arrived and “not leave of them a greasy spot.” Hawkins was given 15 minutes to decide.
Col. Hawkins called his officers together and asked them what they were in favor of doing. All officers said fight but Major Thomas A. Smith. Col. Hawkins said that it would save a great many lives if we would surrender, and if we renewed the fighting they would kill everyone that might fall into their hands. The enlisted men were mostly opposed to surrender also. Some of the officers, not having seen the artillery, suggested that they wait until it was shown before surrender, knowing that reinforcements were on the way. Hawkins replied that would “be too late, for Forrest would not leave of us a greasy spot.”
Col. Hawkins then determined upon surrender. In this he probably was influenced by a number of factors. He was aware of the hatred between Tennesseans of opposite sides as was the present case. He also was apparently convinced of the presence of artillery. He also had previously surrendered to Forrest before and knew that they would be given fair treatment. However, if he failed to surrender, he believed Forrest would make good on his threat.
The surrender took place at 11 a.m. As soon as the Federal troops stacked their arms outside the fort, the Rebels rushed to get between them and the rifles. The buglers, horse holders, and black soldiers came bounding in when they saw the surrender. The black soldiers in the lead, yelled, “here is your artillery, Toot, Toot, Toot!” with their thumbs stuck in their ears, working the hand like a mule’s ear.”
As it became apparent that Hawkins had made a mistake in surrendering, there were no paroles and the fact they had surrendered to a smaller force with NO artillery. Taken prisoner were 481 men, along with 300 horses, about 500 small arms, a few mules, and wagons, supplies and other equipment. Also taken was about $60,000 in cash, the troops having just been paid for a full year’s service. The barracks and supplies that could not be carried were burned. At 12 noon, the victorious troops moved out with their prisoners toward Jacksonville (formerly a small rail stop southeast of Union City) from which place they proceeded on down the Nashville and Northwesters Railroad to Gardner Station, where they spent the night.
On the 25th, the captured troops were marched 15 miles toward Trenton. Reaching that point early on the morning of the 26th, they were given an ounce of meat each, their first food for nearly three days. At Trenton, several officers escaped. Col. Hawkins was offered a parole but refused. When Col. Duckworth’s men arrived at Jackson with the prisoners, Gen. Forrest had just returned with his men from a raid in Paducah. The next stop for the 7th TN calvary, USA was the Confederate prison camp at Andersonville, Ga.
Gen. Brayman, safely back at Cairo, concluded never again to station a small force in Forrest “territory” again, since the “Wizard of the Saddle” was seemingly unable to withstand the temptation to swallow them up. Brayman concluded, “I propose to leave Hickman, Union City, and such inconsiderable points without defense, holding only such points of military importance.” Union City remained without Federal garrison the remainder of the war, although it was visited frequently by strong bodies of Union Calvary.”
In March of 1864, Union City was garrisoned by Seventh Tennessee Calvary, USA, Colonel Isaac Hawkins in command. Reaching the city on the 13th, he put his 500-man force to work strengthening the defenses. On the 23rd, reports reaching Col. Hawkins said of General Nathan Bedford Forrest with 7,000 men and artillery moving toward their position from Jackson. Gen. Forrest had once again moved his command to West Tennessee, following his great victory at Brice’s Crossroads in Mississippi. This was the third time during the war that Gen. Forrest or part of his command had been to Union City. He had just been given the fragments of three Kentucky regiments, and one of his purposes for coming here was to equip them. Leaving Columbus, Miss., on the 15th, he reached Jackson on the 20th. A battalion was sent toward Memphis to keep a lookout in that direction. A regiment was detailed to garrison Jackson, while on the 22nd, Gen. Forrest, his escort company, the Seventh Tennessee Calvary, CSA, and 12th Kentucky Infantry, CSA established a recruiting station in Trenton. Having heard that the Federal garrison at Union City was well equipped, he concluded that this would be an ideal point at which to “draw” his supplies. He dispatched Colonel William Duckworth to Union City with a detactment consisting of the Seventh TN Calvary, Lt. Faulkner’s Kentucky Infantry, and Lt. John McDonald’s battalion, about 475 men. They carried no artillery.
Their departure was recalled by a trooper as follows: “Gen. Forrest came ridin up the line, sayin’, ‘You da___ed boys have been braggin’ you could whip half a dozen Tennessee Yankees. You are the 7th TN Rebs, the 7th TN Yanks are in Union City, I am goin’ to send you there to clean them out, if you don’t, never come back.’ All he had to say.”
As the Confederates neared Union City, there was concern in the air in the Federal camp. Col. Hawkins, recalling his previous experience with Forrest in 1862, had taken the precaution to notify Brigadier General Mason Brayman, the district commander at Cairo, Ill. Brayman, unsure whether the objective was Union City or Paducah, Ky., sent Captain Odlin assistant Adjutant-General and Chief-of-Staff, to Union City to get an on-hand report. Just as his train arrived in the early morning hours of March 24th, the Federal pickets were driven back and the telegraph lines cut. Convinced now that the attack was meant for Union City rather than Paducah, Capt. Odlin ordered Hawkins to hold out ‘til reinforcements arriving from Cairo by way of river transport. Having been ordered not to endanger his train, he immediately returned to Columbus, Ky., passing over a burning bridge near Union City. From Columbus he sent a report to Gen. Brayman, that Union City be reinforced as soon as possible.
The doubled guard of pickets had been quickly driven back to the fort near the railroad station as the Confederates opened fire at about 4 a.m. Two yankees were killed before they could reach safety. The fort was 70 yards square with earthen walls 10 feet high. Logs had been placed on top of the walls and small gunports dug beneath them every few yards. An abatis (these are sharpened tree limbs placed close together pointed at the enemy) had been constructed around the fort.
The Confederates swiftly moved to encircle the fort. According to their information, there were no fortifications, but the light from a burning house, fired by the Federals to make their besiegers better targets, soon showed their task would be more difficult than first imagined. Sharpshooters exchanged for a short time. Then, about 5:30 a.m., the defenders got their first good look at the Rebels. A large body of calvary came at full charge toward the fort from the south. After a brief exchange, they were forced to retreat. The Rebels then dismounted and renewed the attack which came with fierce fighting, to within 20 yards of the breastworks. This time, there was loss to both sides. The attack was launched by Ly. Faulkner’s men. Lt. Col. W.B. Lannum and R.R. Hammerly, Orderly Sergeant were severely wounded. Two more unsuccessful charges were made.
Following the fourth unsuccessful charge, the Confederates fell back from the fort, taking cover behind the fallen trees, stumps and railway embankment. Sharpshooters on sides kept up continuous fire until about 9 a.m. The Yankees were jubilant, since they were sure they had taken all the Rebels had to offer and could hold ’til the promised reinforcement could arrive.
Within the ranks, a spirit of doom had developed over the Confederate soldiers. Many were no doubt thinking of what Gen. Forrest would say when he was informed that they had not been successful in taking the fort. Then someone had an idea. The idea was proposed to send in a demand for surrender, worded in Forrest’s customary blood-curdling style and signed with his name. This coupled with Col. Hawkins previous experience with Forrest, they hoped would accomplish by strategy what force of arms had failed to do. In addition to this, the men made ready their “home-made artillery” with which to impress the “home-made” Yankees. A black log was placed on the front wheels of a wagon, drawn by two mules, with an old box on other wheels in imitation of a caisson.
The plan was that when the flag of truce went out demanding surrender, the buglar would sound the artillery call. Soldiers lying in the cut timber would yell lustily, another artillery call, and at a different point, more ringing cheers from the soldiers. One soldier’s account was, “The boys began to feel as if Forrest had changed his purpose and was really here with all the artillery.” At about 9:30 a.m., the flag of truce was sent out with the note of surrender. The surrender note read: “SIR, I have your garrison completely surrounded, and demand that an unconditional surrender of your forces. If you comply with the demand, you are promised the treatment due to prisoners of war, according to usages in civilized warfare. If you persist in defense, you must take the consequences. By order of Major General N.B. Forrest.”
Col. Hawkins replied, begging time to consider and demanding to see Forrest in person. The Rebel troops were in full view, in the logs and stumps. The truce escort retired, and in twenty minutes, again came. This time Col. Duckworth was present with flag. Hawkins was informed that Forrest was not in the habit of meeting with officers inferior in rank. Hawkins was again presented with the note demanding unconditional surrender. It was stated that they did not care if he surrendered or not. They were prepared to open fire with artillery which had just arrived and “not leave of them a greasy spot.” Hawkins was given 15 minutes to decide.
Col. Hawkins called his officers together and asked them what they were in favor of doing. All officers said fight but Major Thomas A. Smith. Col. Hawkins said that it would save a great many lives if we would surrender, and if we renewed the fighting they would kill everyone that might fall into their hands. The enlisted men were mostly opposed to surrender also. Some of the officers, not having seen the artillery, suggested that they wait until it was shown before surrender, knowing that reinforcements were on the way. Hawkins replied that would “be too late, for Forrest would not leave of us a greasy spot.”
Col. Hawkins then determined upon surrender. In this he probably was influenced by a number of factors. He was aware of the hatred between Tennesseans of opposite sides as was the present case. He also was apparently convinced of the presence of artillery. He also had previously surrendered to Forrest before and knew that they would be given fair treatment. However, if he failed to surrender, he believed Forrest would make good on his threat.
The surrender took place at 11 a.m. As soon as the Federal troops stacked their arms outside the fort, the Rebels rushed to get between them and the rifles. The buglers, horse holders, and black soldiers came bounding in when they saw the surrender. The black soldiers in the lead, yelled, “here is your artillery, Toot, Toot, Toot!” with their thumbs stuck in their ears, working the hand like a mule’s ear.”
As it became apparent that Hawkins had made a mistake in surrendering, there were no paroles and the fact they had surrendered to a smaller force with NO artillery. Taken prisoner were 481 men, along with 300 horses, about 500 small arms, a few mules, and wagons, supplies and other equipment. Also taken was about $60,000 in cash, the troops having just been paid for a full year’s service. The barracks and supplies that could not be carried were burned. At 12 noon, the victorious troops moved out with their prisoners toward Jacksonville (formerly a small rail stop southeast of Union City) from which place they proceeded on down the Nashville and Northwesters Railroad to Gardner Station, where they spent the night.
On the 25th, the captured troops were marched 15 miles toward Trenton. Reaching that point early on the morning of the 26th, they were given an ounce of meat each, their first food for nearly three days. At Trenton, several officers escaped. Col. Hawkins was offered a parole but refused. When Col. Duckworth’s men arrived at Jackson with the prisoners, Gen. Forrest had just returned with his men from a raid in Paducah. The next stop for the 7th TN calvary, USA was the Confederate prison camp at Andersonville, Ga.
Gen. Brayman, safely back at Cairo, concluded never again to station a small force in Forrest “territory” again, since the “Wizard of the Saddle” was seemingly unable to withstand the temptation to swallow them up. Brayman concluded, “I propose to leave Hickman, Union City, and such inconsiderable points without defense, holding only such points of military importance.” Union City remained without Federal garrison the remainder of the war, although it was visited frequently by strong bodies of Union Calvary