Battle of Sulphur Creek Trestle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Sulpher Creek Trestle
Part of the American Civil War
Date September 23, 1864 (1864-09-23)-September 25, 1864 (1864-09-25) Location Limestone County, Alabama Morgan County, Alabama Giles County, Tennessee 34°54′34″N 86°59′17″W / 34.90936°N 86.98814°W / 34.90936; -86.98814 Result Confederate victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Wallace Campbell Jonas Elliott W. H. Lathrop George Spalding	Nathan Bedford Forrest
Units involved
110th USCT 102nd Ohio Infantry 18th Michigan Infantry 111th USCT 4th Cavalry Division	Cavalry Corps, Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana
Strength
2,350	4,500
Casualties and losses
2,350	139

Map of Athens Battlefield core and study areas by the American Battlefield Protection Program.

The Battle of Sulphur Creek Trestle, also known as the Battle of Athens, was a fight during the American Civil War. It happened near Athens, Alabama, from September 23 to 25, 1864.

In September 1864, a Confederate general named Nathan Bedford Forrest led his soldiers into northern Alabama and middle Tennessee. His goal was to stop supplies from reaching William Tecumseh Sherman's Union army in Georgia. Sherman's army relied on these supplies to keep fighting.

The place where this battle happened, called the Sulphur Trestle Fort Site, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. This means it's an important historical site.

Fighting in Athens (September 23–24)

On the afternoon of September 23, Union soldiers met Confederate forces. This happened about five miles south of Athens, near Tanner, Alabama. The Confederates were trying to destroy a railroad bridge there.

General Forrest's Confederate forces then moved closer to Athens. By that evening, the Confederate soldiers had taken control of the town. The Union forces had to retreat inside their fort, called Fort Henderson.

The Fort Henderson Surrender

On the morning of September 24, the Confederate forces started firing cannons at the fort. General Forrest then met with the Union commander, Colonel Wallace Campbell. Forrest convinced Campbell that he had a huge army, between 8,000 and 10,000 soldiers.

Believing he was greatly outnumbered, Colonel Campbell surrendered the fort and his soldiers around noon.

Shortly after the surrender, about 350 Union soldiers arrived by train from Decatur. These reinforcements were from the 18th Michigan and 102nd Ohio regiments. They were led by Jonas Elliott. After losing about one-third of their men, these new Union forces also surrendered.

Battle at Sulphur Creek Trestle (September 25)

After winning in Athens, General Forrest moved his troops north. He followed the railroad, planning to destroy an important bridge at Sulphur Creek. This bridge was six miles north of Athens.

A fort, two blockhouses (small forts), and 1,000 Union soldiers protected the bridge.

The Trestle's Fall

On the morning of September 25, the Confederate forces began firing cannons at the fort. The fort had been built in a low spot, so it didn't offer much protection from the cannon fire.

About 200 Union soldiers were killed, including their commander, Colonel William Hopkins Lathrop. By noon, George Spalding surrendered the remaining 800 Union soldiers. The Confederates reported no losses in this part of the battle.

After the Battle

The Union soldiers who were captured were sent to Confederate prisons. These prisoners faced difficult conditions during their time in captivity.