Second Battle of Memphis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Second Battle of Memphis
Part of the American Civil War
Attack on Irving Block Prison
Date August 21, 1864 (1864-08-21) Location Memphis, Tennessee Result Confederate victory
Belligerents
United States	Confederate States of America
Commanders and leaders
Cadwallader C. Washburn	Nathan Bedford Forrest
Units involved
Memphis garrison	Forrest's Cavalry Division
Strength
6,000	2,000
Casualties and losses
480	62

The Second Battle of Memphis was a quick attack during the American Civil War. It happened on August 21, 1864, in Shelby County, Tennessee. This event showed how daring and surprising some military actions could be.

General Washburn escapes during the raid

What Was the Memphis Raid?

On August 21, 1864, at 4:00 a.m., a Confederate general named Nathan Bedford Forrest led a bold raid. He attacked Memphis, Tennessee, which was controlled by the Union Army. Forrest had about 2,000 cavalry soldiers. The Union had 6,000 troops in the city.

Why Did Forrest Attack Memphis?

Forrest's raid was not meant to capture the whole city. He had three main goals for this surprise attack:

• To try and capture three Union generals who were staying in Memphis.
• To free Southern prisoners held at Irving Block Prison.
• To make Union forces leave northern Mississippi and come back to Memphis to protect it.

How Did the Raid Begin?

Surprise was very important for Forrest's plan. He used a thick fog that covered the city at dawn. His soldiers pretended to be a Union patrol coming back with prisoners. This trick helped them get past the Union guards without being stopped.

What Happened During the Attack?

Once inside Memphis, Forrest's cavalry rode quickly through the streets. They exchanged gunfire with Union troops they met. The raiders then split up to work on their different missions.

One Union general was not in his room. Another, General Cadwallader C. Washburn, managed to escape. He ran to Fort Pickering while still in his night-shirt! A Confederate soldier captured his horse. Forrest later took Washburn's uniform but sent it back to him.

There is a story in Memphis that Confederate soldiers even rode into the fancy Gayoso House Hotel. They were looking for Union officers there. A street in Memphis is now called "General Washburn's Escape Alley" because of his quick escape.

The attack on Irving Block Prison did not work as planned. Union troops stopped the main Confederate group at the State Female College. After about two hours, Forrest decided it was time to leave. His men cut telegraph wires. They also took about 500 prisoners and many supplies, including horses.

What Was the Outcome?

Even though Forrest did not capture the generals or free the prisoners, his raid was still successful in one way. It made Union forces return to Memphis from northern Mississippi. This helped to protect the city.

After the raid, Union General Stephen A. Hurlbut reportedly said, "There it goes again! They replaced me with Washburn because I could not keep Forrest out of West Tennessee, and Washburn cannot keep him out of his own bedroom!" This quote shows how frustrating Forrest's raids were for the Union generals.

Images for kids

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  Map of the Memphis II Battlefield area.