The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Thursday, April 7, 2022

Forrest's 1864 Railroad Raid-- Part 3: A Success on Paper Anyway

Forrest next crossed into Tennessee and went toward Pulaski, where he ran into an ambush from General John Converse Starkwater's brigade of 6,000 Union troops.  Forced to withdraw, Forrest headed to Fayetteville and with a view of destroying railroad tracks by Tullahoma.

Then, he headed to Spring Hill, Tennessee and, with 2,500 men put plenty of false information on the telegraph lines.  He headed back to Florence.

The total road covered 500 miles in 15 days in which he captured 3,500 prisoners, artillery, 800 horses, 900 cattle, 2,000 small arms.

His losses came to 47 killed and 293 wounded.

Technically, the raid was a success, but he didn't stop Sherman or make Sherman follow him.

--Old Secesh


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