Battle of Thompson's Station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Thompson's Station |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the American Civil War | |||||||
|
|||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States (Union) |
 CSA (Confederacy) |
||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| John Coburn | Earl Van Dorn | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
| Dept. of the Cumberland | Army of Tennessee | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 1 Reinforced Infantry Brigade | 1 Cavalry Corps | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 1,906 | 300 | ||||||
The Battle of Thompson's Station was an important fight during the American Civil War. It happened on March 5, 1863, in Williamson County, Tennessee. In this battle, Confederate soldiers won a victory over Union forces.
Contents
What Was the Battle of Thompson's Station?
The Battle of Thompson's Station was a clash between Union and Confederate armies in Tennessee. It took place after a period of quiet fighting in the region. The battle showed the strength of the Confederate cavalry, especially their skilled leaders.
Why Did the Battle Happen?
After the Battle of Stones River, there wasn't much major fighting for a while. However, Union forces wanted to explore the area south of Franklin. A Union group, led by Colonel John Coburn, left Franklin to scout towards Columbia. This scouting mission led directly to the battle.
How the Battle Unfolded
The battle began when Colonel Coburn's Union soldiers met Confederate forces. The fighting was intense, with both sides trying to gain an advantage.
The Union Attack
About four miles from Spring Hill, Colonel Coburn's Union troops attacked. They faced two Confederate regiments. However, the Union attack was stopped, and they were pushed back.
Confederate Counterattack
After stopping the Union attack, Confederate Major General Earl Van Dorn took charge. He decided to attack the Union forces.
- Confederate Brigadier General W.H. "Red" Jackson's soldiers, who were fighting on foot, attacked the Union position from the front.
- At the same time, Brigadier General Nathan Bedford Forrest's soldiers rode around the left side of Coburn's Union troops. They managed to get behind the Union lines.
The Confederates attacked three times. The fighting was very tough. Finally, Jackson's soldiers captured the Union position on the hilltop. Meanwhile, Forrest's troops captured Coburn's supply wagons. They also blocked the road, trapping the Union soldiers.
A Brave Teenager: Alice Thompson
During the battle, a 17-year-old girl named Alice Thompson showed amazing bravery. She was visiting a house nearby when the fighting got close. A Confederate regiment, the 3rd Arkansas Cavalry Regiment, was moving through the yard. Their leader was killed, and the soldier carrying their flag was also hit. The regiment became confused and disorganized.
Alice Thompson quickly ran out, picked up the fallen flag, and bravely led the soldiers forward. Her actions helped the regiment regain its courage and continue fighting. Even the enemy soldiers praised her brave act.
What Happened After the Battle?
With their supplies captured and the road blocked, Colonel Coburn's Union soldiers ran out of ammunition. They were surrounded by Confederate forces. Because they couldn't fight anymore, Colonel Coburn and almost all of his officers had to surrender.
This Confederate victory meant that the Union's influence in Middle Tennessee became weaker for a while. The Battle of Thompson's Station was a clear win for the Confederates.
