Holladay in Benton County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Parker's Crossroads

“Charge ‘em both ways”

— Forrest's First West Tennessee Raid —

Parkers Crossroads Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, May 23, 2018

1. Parkers Crossroads Marker

Inscription. Late in 1862, the Union army Gen. Ulysses S. Grant threatened Vicksburg, Mississippi. Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg ordered Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest to sever Grant's West Tennessee supply line, which extended from Columbus, Kentucky, via the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. Forrest led his cavalry brigade on a raid to destroy tracks and bridges in West Tennessee, December 15, 1862—January 3, 1863. He and his men crossed the Tennessee River at Clifton, defeated Union Col. Robert G. Ingersoll's cavalry at Lexington, captured Trenton and Union City, and ranged briefly into Kentucky. On Christmas Day, Forrest led his brigade back into Tennessee. To stop him, Union Gen. Jeremiah C. Sullivan, headquartered in Jackson, sent brigades under Cols. Cyrus L. Dunham and John W. Fuller in pursuit. Forrest and his men marched down back roads toward the Tennessee River to elude the Federals, who caught up with them at Parker’s Crossroads on December 31.

Forrest narrowly avoided defeat. At first his men fought Dunham’s force to a standstill, but then Fuller’s command appeared in the Confederate rear. Forrest ordered a breakout in

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each direction: “Charge ‘em both ways.” The counterattacks succeeded, and Forrest and his men crossed the river again at Clifton on January 2, 1863. His successful raid contributed to Grant’s decision to move his supply base to Memphis.

Tennessee Civil War Trails invites you to explore the Parker’s Crossroads battlefield at Exit 108, as well as other sites related to Forrest’s raid.

Erected by Tennessee Civil War Trails.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 3, 1863.

Location. 35° 52.217′ N, 88° 0.237′ W. Marker is in Holladay, Tennessee, in Benton County. It is on Interstate 40W at milepost 131, 1.9 miles west of Birdsong Road (Tennessee Route 191), on the right when traveling west. Located at the Rest Stop Patsy Cline and Chet Atkins. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Holladay TN 38341, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Tennessee

and in the Highland Rim.

It is also in the American

Photographed by Denise Boose, May 23, 2018

2. Parkers Crossroads Marker

South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fort Johnson (approx. one mile away); Fighting on the Tennessee River (approx. 7.3 miles away); Captain William Robert Anderson (approx. 8.9 miles away); Hattie Wyatt Caraway (approx. 8.9 miles away); Jesse James (approx. 10.1 miles away); Pisgah United Methodist Church (approx. 11 miles away); Battle of Johnsonville (approx. 11.6 miles away); James Dickson House (approx. 12.8 miles away).

Photographed by Denise Boose, May 23, 2018

3. Parkers Crossroads Marker

Gen. Forrest, Col. Fuller and Col. Dunham image. Click for full size.

Close up of images on the marker

4. Gen. Forrest, Col. Fuller and Col. Dunham

Forrest’s First West Tennessee Raid image. Click for full size.

Closeup of map on the marker, May 23, 2018

5. Forrest’s First West Tennessee Raid

Credits. This page was last revised on February 9, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 26, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 822 times since then and 41 times this year. Last updated on June 10, 2018, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 26, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.