First Battle of Collierville facts for kids

Quick facts for kids First Battle of Collierville
Part of the American Civil War
Date October 11, 1863 (1863-10-11) Location Collierville, southeast of Memphis, Tennessee Result United States victory
Belligerents
United States	Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
William Sherman De Witt Anthony	James Chalmers
Strength
480 infantry	3,000 cavalry 8 guns
Casualties and losses
14 dead and 96 wounded or missing	3 dead and 48 wounded

The First Battle of Collierville happened on October 11, 1863. It was a fight during the American Civil War in the western part of the country. This battle took place near Collierville, Tennessee. It was a victory for the United States (Union) forces.

Getting Ready for Battle

On October 11, 1863, Confederate forces began to move. They were led by Brigadier-General James Ronald Chalmers. His troops marched from Oxford, Mississippi. Their goal was to attack the Union soldiers in Collierville.

Confederate Forces and Plan

General Chalmers had many cavalry (horse-riding) soldiers. These included regiments from Tennessee, Mississippi, and Missouri. He also had a group of cannons called Buckner's Battery. These cannons included some new, fast-firing Williams Guns.

Chalmers' plan was to attack from the south. He wanted to cut the telegraph lines. These lines were used to send messages. He also planned to burn the railroad bridges. Then, he would surround the Union fort. Different groups of his cavalry were to attack from the west, east, and north. The cannons would fire from a ridge nearby.

Union Defenses

The Union forces in Collierville were led by Colonel De Witt Anthony. His soldiers were from the 66th Indiana Infantry Regiment. They had built strong defenses. These included a railroad depot (a train station building). There was also a stockade, which was a fort with 8-foot (2.4 m)-high walls. They also had dug long trenches called rifle-pits.

The Battle Begins

Around noon, a train arrived in Collierville. On board was Major-General William Tecumseh Sherman. He brought more Union soldiers, the 13th U.S. Infantry. This brought the total Union fighters to about 1,280 men.

Unexpected Delays

General Sherman ordered his new troops to the left side of the 66th Indiana. Meanwhile, a Confederate group under Colonel McGuirk moved north. They found a large Union cavalry camp. This camp was on the north side of town.

McGuirk's men fought the 7th Illinois Cavalry. They pushed them back and captured many prisoners. They also took 18 wagons full of supplies. They destroyed 30 more wagons. This fighting caused a big delay for Colonel McGuirk. Because of this, he could not attack the fort from the north as planned.

Fighting Around the Fort

The battle became very intense. It raged around the fort and the railroad depot. The Confederates pushed the Union soldiers back. Union troops had to take cover inside the fort, the depot, or in the railroad cuts.

Neither side could fully win control of the battle. The Confederates worried that more Union soldiers might arrive from Germantown. So, they decided to pull back. They left without capturing the fort.

After the Battle

The battle ended with the Confederates leaving. The Union forces held their position.

Casualties and Sherman's Escape

The Union army had 110 soldiers killed, wounded, or missing. The Confederate army had 51 soldiers killed or wounded.

General Sherman himself had a very close call. Confederate soldiers got onto his train. They captured some of his personal belongings. This included his horse, named Dolly.