Battle of Rowlett's Station facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Rowlett's Station
Part of the American Civil War
The 32nd Indiana Monument, now protected at the Frazier History Museum in Louisville
Date December 17, 1861 (1861-12-17) Location Hart County, Kentucky Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
United States (Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Alexander McDowell McCook, August Willich	Benjamin Franklin Terry, Thomas Carmichael Hindman
Units involved
32nd Indiana Volunteer Infantry	Terry's Texas Rangers 8th Texas Cavalry 1st Arkansas Battalion
Strength
500	1350
Casualties and losses
40	91

The Battle of Rowlett's Station was a fight during the American Civil War. It happened in Hart County, Kentucky, on December 17, 1861. This battle is also known as the Battle of Woodsonville or Green River. Neither side won a clear victory. However, the Union Army kept control of an important railroad bridge over the Green River.

Why the Battle Happened

Setting the Scene in Kentucky

In November 1861, General Don Carlos Buell took charge of the Union's Army of the Ohio. He wanted to make sure the Union controlled the area. So, he sent troops into the field. Part of this plan was to send the 2nd Division, led by General Alexander McDowell McCook, into Kentucky. Their goal was to push the Confederates out of the state.

Meanwhile, the Confederate army, led by General Albert Sidney Johnston, set up a defense line. This line was along the Green River near Munfordville, Kentucky.

The Important Railroad Bridge

On December 10, 1861, General Richard W. Johnson (following McCook's orders) sent troops towards the Confederate lines. Their mission was to protect the Louisville and Nashville Railroad bridge. This bridge crossed the Green River.

Confederate troops, led by General Thomas C. Hindman, reacted quickly. They blew up part of the railroad bridge. They also destroyed about 100 feet of track.

Colonel August Willich of the 32nd Indiana Infantry Regiment sent soldiers to help. Two companies went across the river. They protected workers who were fixing the bridge. They also helped build a temporary floating bridge. Once the floating bridge was ready, more Union soldiers crossed the river. Civilian workers arrived on December 16 to repair the main railroad bridge.

The Soldiers Involved

The main Union force was the 32nd Indiana Infantry Regiment. This group was also called Indiana's "1st German" regiment. Most of its soldiers were German immigrants or their descendants. Colonel Willich was their leader. He was very strict and used special bugle calls, like those in the Prussian army, to command his troops.

The Confederates were mainly from the 8th Texas Cavalry Regiment. This group became famous as Terry's Texas Rangers. Colonel Benjamin Franklin Terry formed them. General Johnston had asked Terry to join his army. He promised Terry an independent command. The 8th Texas voted to join the general in Kentucky.

The Battle Begins

Map of the Rowlett's Station Battlefield.

Around noon on December 17, 1861, construction crews were fixing the stone railroad bridge. A Union patrol went south of the bridge. As they moved into the woods, they found Confederate skirmishers. These were soldiers who fought in small groups.

The Confederate skirmishers fell back until the Texas cavalry joined them. Then, they attacked the Union soldiers. These Union companies had crossed the river to help their friends.

Fighting in the Woods

A small group of Union soldiers (fewer than 500 men) from the 32nd Indiana fought against 1,300 Confederate troops. These Confederates included Terry's Texas Rangers, Mississippi artillery, and Arkansas infantry. They were led by General Hindman.

Even though they were greatly outnumbered, the 32nd Indiana soldiers formed a defensive infantry square. This was a strong formation to defend against cavalry. The Texas Rangers charged the Union lines.

Union cannons helped their troops from the north side of the river. Confederate cannons fired on Union reserves and skirmishers. The Rangers kept charging and fighting hand-to-hand with the Union soldiers. But the Confederates were eventually pushed back.

Key Moments and Leaders

During the battle, Colonel Terry, the leader of the Texas Rangers, was badly wounded and died.

On the Union side, Lieutenant Max Sachs of the 32nd Indiana and his men were surrounded by the Rangers. They were told to give up, but they refused. They kept fighting until Sachs and three of his men were killed or mortally wounded. Seven more Union soldiers in the group were also wounded.

Colonel Willich, the Union commander, returned to the battle. He ordered his troops to pull back to a stronger position. General Hindman, knowing that more Union soldiers were coming, ordered the Confederates to leave the field.

What Happened Next

Who Won?

Both sides said they won the battle. But the truth is, it was a tie. The Union forces stayed in control of the battlefield. They continued to use the Louisville and Nashville Railroad to move soldiers and supplies. It was hard to count the dead, wounded, or missing soldiers because they were spread out.

In the weeks after the battle, the 32nd Indiana became famous. Newspapers across the country praised them for their brave stand. This battle was one of the few times in the Civil War that Union infantry successfully defended themselves in the open against repeated cavalry attacks.

Counting the Losses

The number of casualties (soldiers killed or wounded) changed over time. General Buell reported 33 Confederates dead, including Colonel Terry, and at least 50 wounded. General Hindman confirmed Terry's death. But he said his men had few losses. He claimed as many as 75 Union soldiers were dead.

Colonel Willich first reported that the 32nd Indiana had 1 officer and 10 men killed, 22 wounded, and 5 missing. However, the final count for his regiment was 46 casualties. This included 13 killed, 28 wounded, and 5 captured.

The Monument's Journey

The dead soldiers of the 32nd Indiana Regiment were first buried near the battle site. In 1867, the state of Kentucky moved the bodies of 21 Union soldiers. Fourteen of them were from the 32nd Indiana. A special limestone tablet, known as the 32nd Indiana Monument, was also moved. It had a message in German honoring the soldiers. These were all moved to Cave Hill National Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky.

In 2008, the monument was moved again. It needed to be fixed because it was old and damaged. In 2010, it was placed inside the Frazier History Museum in Louisville. It is now on a long-term loan there. Even though it moved, this stone monument is thought to be the oldest surviving American Civil War monument in the United States. A new monument for the 32nd Indiana was placed at Cave Hill National Cemetery in 2011.

A New Name

The 8th Texas Cavalry Regiment changed its name to "Terry's Texas Rangers." This was to honor their fallen leader, Colonel Terry.

The Battle of Rowlett's Station was soon forgotten by many. Bigger Union victories happened later. These included the Battle of Mill Springs in Kentucky, and the Battle of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson in Tennessee.

Military Units in the Battle

Union Army

General Alexander McDowell McCook

• Infantry
  • 32nd Indiana Infantry Regiment

• Artillery
  • Battery A, Kentucky Light Artillery (Stone's Battery)
  • Battery A, 1st Ohio Light Artillery

Confederate Army

General Thomas Carmichael Hindman

• Infantry
  • 1st Arkansas Infantry Battalion
  • 2nd Arkansas Infantry Regiment
  • 6th Arkansas Infantry Regiment

• Artillery
  • Swett's Company, Light Artillery (Warren Light Artillery)

• Cavalry
  • 6th Arkansas Cavalry Battalion
  • 8th Texas Cavalry Regiment