Battle of Kingston facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Kingston |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the American Civil War | |||||||
 Battle of Kingston in the Knoxville Campaign |
|||||||
|
|||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States (Union) |
 CSA (Confederacy) |
||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Robert K. Byrd |
Joseph Wheeler |
||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
| 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, XXIII Corps, Army of the Ohio | Armstrong's Division William T. Martin's Division |
||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 1 infantry brigade 1 mounted infantry regiment |
2 cavalry divisions (minus 5 regiments) | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 20 | 50 | ||||||
The Battle of Kingston happened on November 24, 1863, during the American Civil War. It was a fight where Confederate soldiers, led by a high-ranking officer named Joseph Wheeler, tried to take over the town of Kingston, Tennessee. This town was being defended by Union soldiers under Colonel Robert K. Byrd.
The Confederates thought the Union soldiers in Kingston were few and weak. But they were wrong! The Union had many soldiers, including foot soldiers (infantry) and soldiers who rode horses but fought on foot (mounted infantry). When the Confederates started to check out the Union's defenses, they quickly found out that the Union forces were too strong. Because of this, the Confederate soldiers decided to leave. They went back to join other Confederate forces who were fighting in the Siege of Knoxville. However, General Wheeler himself returned to his main army near Chattanooga. The Union won this small but important battle.
Contents
What Happened at Kingston?
The Battle of Kingston was part of a bigger military plan called the Knoxville campaign. This campaign was a series of battles and movements in eastern Tennessee. The Confederates wanted to control this area.
Why Kingston Was Important
Kingston was a key location because of its roads and its position near the Tennessee River. Controlling Kingston meant controlling important routes for supplies and troops. Both sides wanted to hold this town.
The Confederate Plan
General Joseph Wheeler led two groups of Confederate horse soldiers, known as cavalry. He was ordered to attack Kingston. His goal was to capture the town and its Union defenders. The Confederates believed the Union forces there were small and easy to defeat.
A Surprise for the Confederates
When Wheeler's cavalry arrived, they expected an easy fight. But the Union forces were much stronger than expected. Colonel Robert K. Byrd commanded a large group of Union infantry and a special group of mounted infantry. These soldiers were ready to defend Kingston.
The Battle Unfolds
The Confederate cavalry began to test the Union defenses. They tried to find weak spots in the Union lines. This is called "probing" an enemy's position.
Union Strength Revealed
As the Confederates probed, they quickly realized their mistake. The Union soldiers were not only numerous but also well-positioned. The defenses around Kingston were very strong. It became clear that a full attack would be too costly for the Confederates.
Confederate Withdrawal
Faced with strong Union resistance, General Wheeler made the decision to pull his troops back. They did not launch a full-scale attack. Instead, they left Kingston to avoid heavy losses.
Wheeler's Next Move
After leaving Kingston, most of Wheeler's cavalry rejoined other Confederate forces. These forces were busy trying to capture Knoxville. But General Wheeler himself went back to the main Confederate army, which was near Chattanooga.
Who Fought in the Battle?
The Battle of Kingston involved specific military units from both sides.
Union Forces
The Union defense was led by Colonel Robert K. Byrd. His forces included:
- The 1st Brigade of the 2nd Division
- Part of the XXIII Corps
- Part of the Army of the Ohio
- One regiment of mounted infantry
Confederate Forces
The Confederate attack was led by Major General Joseph Wheeler. His forces included:
- Armstrong's Division of cavalry
- William T. Martin's Division of cavalry
The Outcome
The Battle of Kingston was a clear victory for the Union. The Confederates failed to capture the town.
Casualties
- The Union side had 20 soldiers killed or wounded.
- The Confederate side had about 50 soldiers killed or wounded.
This battle showed that the Union forces in Kingston were well-prepared and strong. It also showed that good information about the enemy is very important in war.
