Battle of Collierville facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Collierville
Part of the American Civil War
Date November 3, 1863 (1863-11-03) Location Shelby County, Tennessee 35°02′38″N 89°39′52″W / 35.044°N 89.6645°W / 35.044; -89.6645 Result United States victory
Belligerents
United States	Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
Edward Hatch	James Chalmers
Strength
850	2,500
Casualties and losses
60	95

The Battle of Collierville happened on November 3, 1863. It was also called the Second Battle of Collierville. This fight took place in the western part of the American Civil War. It was an important event near Collierville, Tennessee.

Why Collierville Was Important

In 1863, several small battles happened around Collierville, Tennessee. This area was important because of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. This railroad was a key route for moving soldiers and supplies during the Civil War. The biggest battles in Collierville took place on October 11 and November 3, 1863. The battle on October 11 was actually the largest land battle fought in Shelby County, Tennessee.

The Battle Begins

This map shows the Collierville Battlefield area during the Civil War.

The battle on November 3 was planned by the Confederate army. Their goal was to use cavalry (soldiers on horseback) to attack and damage the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. This would stop supplies from reaching General Sherman's army. Sherman's soldiers were marching to help the city of Chattanooga.

Confederate General James Ronald Chalmers led a group of cavalry from Mississippi. He heard that only one Union regiment (a group of soldiers) was left to defend Collierville. So, he decided to attack. General Chalmers thought the Union forces in Collierville and nearby Germantown, Tennessee were smaller than they actually were.

Union Soldiers Prepare

Luckily, Union Colonel Edward Hatch had scouts who warned him that Chalmers was coming. Colonel Hatch quickly told the soldiers defending Collierville to get ready. He then rode from Germantown with more cavalry soldiers to help.

General Chalmers attacked from the south, just as he had done a few weeks earlier. The Union soldiers defending Collierville included eight companies of the 7th Illinois Cavalry Regiment. They also had two howitzers, which are small cannons. Colonel Hatch arrived quickly with the 6th Illinois Cavalry Regiment and the 2nd Iowa Cavalry Regiment.

The Fight and Retreat

The Confederates attacked with only part of their forces. They still believed the Union defense was weak. But the Union 2nd Iowa Cavalry Regiment opened fire with their Colt's New Model Revolving rifles. These powerful rifles helped them push back the Confederate attack.

General Chalmers was surprised to see Union soldiers on his sides. He realized he was outnumbered. So, he decided to stop the battle and pull his troops back to Mississippi. He wanted to avoid being chased by the Union forces.

Chalmers reported that his side lost 6 soldiers killed, 63 wounded, and 26 taken prisoner. One of the prisoners was Colonel James Z. George. Colonel Hatch reported that the Union side lost about 60 soldiers. The good news for the Union was that the Memphis and Charleston Railroad stayed open. This meant Union troops and supplies could still move to Tuscumbia, Alabama.