The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Saturday, September 3, 2022

Holly Springs-- Part 6: A Huge Confederate Success

On December 20, 1862, Van Dorn was just 14 miles awayfrom the Union supply depot at Holly Springs.  

When they attacked at 6 am, they hit the court house first, then the fairgrounds and by 8 am, had Holly Springs secure and started destroying supplies.  In seven hours,the Confederates had destroyed some $400,000 worth of Union assets.  Van Dorn estimated the destruction at $1.5 million.

In addition, 1500 Federal soldiers were captured and paroled.  According to Ed Bearss, Van Dorn's men became the best equipped Confederates in the South as a result.

The only casualty was a civilian.

North of Holly Springs there is Davis Mill.  Colonel William Morgan and 200 men of the Indiana regiment saved the trestle there.

Grant sent Grierson to go after Van Dorn.

--Old Secesh


No comments: