Battle of Mossy Creek facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Mossy Creek
Part of the American Civil War
Date December 29, 1863 (1863-12-29) Location Jefferson County, Tennessee Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States of America (Union)	Confederate States of America
Commanders and leaders
Samuel D. Sturgis	William T. Martin
Units involved
Army of the Ohio XXIII Corps	Martin's Cavalry Brigade
Strength
	2,000
Casualties and losses
151	unknown

The Battle of Mossy Creek was a small but important fight during the American Civil War. It happened on December 29, 1863, in Jefferson County, Tennessee. In this battle, soldiers from the Union army fought against Confederate cavalry. The Union forces won this battle.

Background to the Battle

Before the battle, Union General Samuel D. Sturgis was camped near Mossy Creek. He heard that some Confederate cavalry had set up camp nearby. General Sturgis thought he could surprise and defeat this Confederate group. He believed the enemy forces were split up.

So, on the night of December 28, 1863, Sturgis sent some of his troops away from Mossy Creek. They marched towards a town called Dandridge. His plan was to attack the Confederates there.

However, while Sturgis's troops were marching, Confederate General William T. Martin made a move. Martin's cavalry attacked the small Union force left at Talbott's Station. This attack happened at 9:00 a.m. on December 29.

The Battle of Mossy Creek

Map of the Mossy Creek Battlefield.

The Union soldiers at Talbott's Station slowly fell back. They retreated towards Mossy Creek. General Sturgis quickly sent messages to his other troops. He told them to return to Mossy Creek right away if they didn't find any enemy in Dandridge.

The Confederates kept pushing forward. They drove the Union soldiers back into Mossy Creek. But then, the Union troops who had gone to Dandridge returned. They quickly joined the fight.

Around 3:00 p.m., the battle turned around. The Union forces began to push the Confederates back. They drove them out of Mossy Creek. The Confederates retreated towards Talbott's Station and Panther Creek.

By the time it got dark, the Confederates were back where they started. They were at Panther Creek. The Union army did not chase them that night. Since it was late in the year, General Martin decided to retreat. He moved his troops back towards Morristown for the winter.

The battle lasted about seven hours. Around 500 Union and Confederate soldiers were either killed or wounded. After this Union victory, the Union army held the area around Talbott's Station for some time.