Battle of Hatchie's Bridge facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Hatchie Bridge
Part of American Civil War
Second phase of the Iuka–Corinth Campaign
Date October 5, 1862 (1862-10-05) Location Hardeman County and McNairy County, Tennessee Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Edward O. C. Ord Stephen A. Hurlbut	Earl Van Dorn Sterling Price
Units involved
District of Jackson (3 brigades)	Army of the West
Casualties and losses
500	400

The Battle of Hatchie Bridge was an important fight during the American Civil War. It took place on October 5, 1862, in Tennessee. This battle was the last part of a larger plan called the Iuka–Corinth Campaign.

After losing the Battle of Corinth, Confederate Major General Earl Van Dorn needed to escape. His army was trying to get away from the Union Army. The Battle of Hatchie Bridge was where the Union forces tried to stop them.

The Battle Unfolds

On October 4, 1862, General Van Dorn's Confederate army began to retreat. They were moving away from Corinth, Mississippi. Union Major General William Rosecrans did not chase them right away. He waited until the next morning, October 5.

Meanwhile, another Union force was moving to help Rosecrans. This group was led by Major General Edward Ord. They were part of Ulysses S. Grant's army. Early on October 5, General Ord's troops met Union Major General Stephen A. Hurlbut's division.

General Ord took charge of both Union forces. They quickly pushed back the Confederates. The Confederates were led by Major General Sterling Price. The fighting moved about five miles. It ended at the Hatchie River, near Davis's Bridge.

After this success, General Ord was hurt in his ankle. General Hurlbut then took command of the Union troops. While Price's men were busy fighting the Union, Van Dorn's scouts found another way to cross the Hatchie River.

General Van Dorn quickly led his army across this new crossing. They managed to escape capture. Grant then told Rosecrans to stop chasing them. The Confederates got away, even though the Union forces had a chance to trap them.

Who Fought Here?

This battle involved soldiers from both the Union and Confederate armies.

Union Forces

The main Union commander was Major General Edward Ord. He was later wounded during the battle. After he was hurt, Major General Stephen A. Hurlbut took over. Their forces were part of the District of Jackson. They included several brigades of infantry and cavalry.

Confederate Forces

The Confederate army was called the Army of the West. It was led by Major General Earl Van Dorn. His second-in-command was Major General Sterling Price. Price's troops were the ones who fought the Union forces at Davis's Bridge.

The Battlefield Today

Davis Bridge Battlefield
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location in Tennessee Show map of Tennessee Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Nearest city	Pocahontas, Tennessee
Built	1862
MPS	Archeological Resources of the American Civil War in Tennessee MPS
NRHP reference No.	97001549
Added to NRHP	July 13, 1998

The place where the battle happened is known as the Davis Bridge Battlefield. It is a very important historical site. In 1998, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a special place that needs to be protected.

A part of this battlefield is also a National Historic Landmark. This is an even higher level of historical importance. Groups like the Civil War Trust (now part of the American Battlefield Trust) work to save these lands. They have helped protect many acres of the battlefield. This helps us remember the history of the Civil War.