Battle of Dandridge facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Dandridge
Part of the American Civil War
Date January 17, 1864 (1864-01-17) Location Jefferson County, Tennessee Result Confederate victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Samuel D. Sturgis	James Longstreet
Units involved
Army of the Ohio IV Corps	Department of East Tennessee
Strength
unknown	unknown
Casualties and losses
~100	~150

The Battle of Dandridge was a small but important fight during the American Civil War. It happened on January 17, 1864, in Jefferson County, Tennessee. This battle was part of a bigger struggle between the Union (the northern states) and the Confederacy (the southern states) over control of East Tennessee.

Why the Battle Happened

In early 1864, Union forces wanted to push the Confederates away from their winter camps. They heard there was good food and supplies for their horses and soldiers south of the French Broad River. So, on January 14, Union Major General John Parke led his troops towards Dandridge. This town was close to an important railroad line.

This move made Confederate Lieutenant General James Longstreet and his soldiers move back. Longstreet quickly brought more soldiers from Morristown on January 15. He wanted to stop the Union advance and threaten their base at New Market.

First Clashes

On January 16, Union Brigadier General Samuel D. Sturgis led his cavalry from Dandridge. They rode towards Kimbrough's Crossroads. As they got closer, they found Confederate soldiers already there. These Confederates were an infantry brigade (a large group of soldiers) with artillery (cannons).

These Confederate troops were from Alabama and other states. They were led by Brigadier General Micah Jenkins. At the same time, other Union cavalry, led by Colonel Frank Wolford, fought Confederates south of Dandridge. The Union cavalry could not make the Confederates leave. So, they had to go back to Dandridge.

The Battle of Dandridge

Map of the Dandridge Battlefield core and study areas.

Around noon on January 17, General Sturgis learned that the Confederates were getting ready to attack. He quickly arranged his soldiers into battle lines. About 4:00 p.m., the Confederates moved forward towards Dandridge. The fighting quickly became intense.

The battle continued even after dark. The Union soldiers held their ground in roughly the same place they started. However, General Parke worried that Longstreet's entire army was in front of them. Also, the Union forces had not managed to cross the river as planned. Because of this, General Parke ordered his troops to retreat during the night. They pulled back to New Market and Strawberry Plains.

The Confederates tried to chase them. But they didn't have enough cannons, ammunition, or even shoes for their soldiers. So, they stopped their pursuit and went back to Dandridge. For a while, the Union forces left the area. The Confederates held the field, making it a Confederate victory.