Battle of Moscow Marker

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Moscow in Fayette County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Battle of Moscow
Union Troops of African Descent

Front of Marker Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, March 16, 2009

1. Front of Marker

Inscription. (Front):Battle of Moscow
December 4, 1863
Three thousand Confederate cavalry with artillery, led by Gen. James Chalmers, attacked the Memphis & Charleston Railroad bridge over Wolf River and ambushed Col. Edward Hatch's brigade of Union cavalry crossing the river on the state line road wagon bridge. Intense fighting ensued and fortified Union artillery bombarded the Confederate rear. Union losses were 175 men and 100 horses. Near sunset, the Confederates withdrew, with a loss of 30 killed and 54 taken prisoners. Later, the Yankees burned the town of Moscow, leaving only two residences.
Continued

(Back):Union Troops of African Descent
Union troops manning the nearby fort and protecting the railroad at Moscow included African-American troops of the 2nd Regiment, West Tennessee Infantry, under command of Col. Frank Kendrick. When attacked the regiment fought from rifle pits on the east bank of Wolf River. The unit was insturmental in repelling the Confederate attack. Gen. Stephen A. Hurlbut, commander of the 16th Army Corps, Memphis, later issued public praise, citing the regiment's "gallant and successful defense of the important position."

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4E 162.)

Back of Marker Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, March 16, 2009

2. Back of Marker

Location. 35° 3.595′ N, 89° 24.328′ W. Marker is in Moscow, Tennessee, in Fayette County. Marker is on Main Street (State Highway 57), on the right when traveling west. Click for map. Located on the west end of the bridge over Wolf River. Marker is in this post office area: Moscow TN 38057, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. "Mississippi" Fred McDowell (approx. 7.9 miles away); Grierson's Raid (approx. 9.2 miles away); La Grange (approx. 9.2 miles away); Immanuel Church (approx. 9.3 miles away); The Gloster - Anderson Graveyard (approx. 9.7 miles away); Woodlawn (approx. 10.6 miles away).

Also see . . . Battle of Moscow. Site photos from Civil War Album. Included also is an section from the 48th Ohio Volunteer Infantry regimental history, detailing the unit's operations around Moscow. (Submitted on May 24, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)