Battle of Newton's Station facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Newton's Station
Part of the American Civil War
Date April 24, 1863 Location Newton's Station, Mississippi Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Benjamin H. Grierson	Unknown
Strength
2 Regiments	34 Soldiers
Casualties and losses
4	25

The Battle of Newton's Station was a small but important event during the American Civil War. It happened on April 24, 1863, in a place called Newton's Station, Mississippi. This battle was part of a bigger plan by the Union army called Grierson's Raid. The Union soldiers won this battle, helping their overall war efforts.

What Was Grierson's Raid?

Grierson's Raid was a daring mission led by Union Col. Benjamin Grierson. His goal was to ride deep into Confederate territory. The raid aimed to cause trouble and cut off important communication lines. This would distract Confederate forces from the main Vicksburg campaign.

The Attack on Newton's Station

On April 24, 1863, Grierson's cavalry (soldiers on horseback) reached Newton's Station. They entered the town without much fighting. Their main goal was to damage the railroad and telegraph lines. This would stop messages from reaching Confederate commanders.

A smaller group, led by Lt-Colonel William Blackburn, rode ahead in the dark. They surprised the town and captured two Confederate trains. One train carried freight, and the other carried both freight and passengers. Blackburn's men set fire to the trains. The sound of exploding ammunition made Colonel Grierson think a big battle had started. But when he arrived, he found Blackburn's men enjoying some captured supplies.

Destroying Confederate Supplies

Over the next few hours, the Union forces worked to destroy everything useful. They tore up miles of railroad tracks. They also cut telegraph wires, making it impossible for the Confederates to communicate.

A large building in town, filled with uniforms and weapons, was burned down. The railroad depot was also set on fire. However, the Union soldiers allowed local hospital staff to remove medicine and food first. Around 2 PM, Grierson gathered his troops and left the town. They left behind a lot of damage and wreckage.

The Battle in Movies

The exciting events of the Battle of Newton's Station and Grierson's entire raid inspired a movie. The 1959 film The Horse Soldiers was based on these real-life events. It was directed by John Ford and starred famous actors John Wayne and William Holden.