Athens in Limestone County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
The Battles of Fort Henderson and Sulphur Creek Trestle
Fort Henderson and Trinity School
Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 18, 2020
1. The Battles of Fort Henderson and Sulphur Creek Trestle Marker
Inscription.
The Battles of Fort Henderson and Sulphur Creek Trestle. Fort Henderson and Trinity School. “Just after daylight on the morning of September 24, they opened on the fort with artillery from three different sides, casting almost every shell inside the works.” , Col. Wallace Campbell, 110th U.S. Colored Infantry
In September 1864, Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest launched an expedition from Mississippi to disrupt Union supply lines in Tennessee and Alabama. Forrest's cavalry collided with Colonel Wallace Campbell's men south of Athens on September 23. A sharp skirmish ensued, and Campbell slowly withdrew to the fort. Fighting continued throughout the day and Forrest surrounded Fort Henderson that evening. Forrest probed Campbell's defenses the next morning. Imagine the gunfire, yelling, the ground trembling beneath your feet. Finding the fort too strong, he demanded Campbell capitulate. Campbell conferred with Forrest, who convinced the Union commander he was heavily outnumbered, and Campbell agreed to surrender. The Confederates then turned north toward Sulphur Creek Trestle. Forrest invested the Union garrison there on September 25. An artillery bombardment and dismounted attack silenced the Federal guns and induced the fort's surrender. Union Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Wade reoccupied Fort Henderson three days later. Forrest's subordinate, General Abraham Buford, attacked Wade on October 1. Wade utilized a newly constructed bombproof, repulsed the Confederate assault and eventually forced Buford to withdraw. For Julius and Samuel Redus, John Jackson, George Allen, Moses Peete, Doctor Peete, John Roberts and their comrades, however, they now faced an uncertain future as prisoners of war.
[Photo captions] , Map: The first fight for Fort Henderson began on September 23. After a morning skirmish, Colonel Campbell launched a sortie into Athens against the 2nd Tennessee Cavalry. The following day, reinforcements from the 18th Michigan and 102nd Ohio nearly broke through Forrest's line and relieved the garrison. During the second battle in October, Lieutenant Colonel Wade credited the innovative use of the bombproof for saving the fort's garrison. American Battlefield Trust
Portrait left: A veteran of the Mexican- American War, Major General Lovell Rousseau fought at Shiloh, Perryville and Stones River. The head of the District of Tennessee, it fell to Rousseau to prevent Confederate incursions against the Nashville and Decatur Railroad. Courtesy of the Library of Congress
Portrait right: Unlike many officers in the Union and Confederate armies, Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest did not receive a formal military education at West Point. Still, Forrest's highly effective operations throughout Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi made him a thorn in the side of the Union high command. Courtesy of the Library of Congress
Bottom right: This trestle bridge spanned Sulphur Creek north of Athens. It was protected by an earthen fort and blockhouses. Forrest considered these fortifications to be the strongest on the railroad. Courtesy of Limestone County Archives
“Just after daylight on the morning of
September 24, they opened on the fort with
artillery from three different sides, casting
almost every shell inside the works.” — Col.
Wallace Campbell, 110th U.S. Colored Infantry
In September 1864, Confederate General Nathan
Bedford Forrest launched an expedition from
Mississippi to disrupt Union supply lines in
Tennessee and Alabama. Forrest's cavalry collided
with Colonel Wallace Campbell's men south
of Athens on September 23. A sharp skirmish
ensued, and Campbell slowly withdrew to the fort.
Fighting continued throughout the day and Forrest
surrounded Fort Henderson that evening. Forrest
probed Campbell's defenses the next morning.
Imagine the gunfire, yelling, the ground trembling
beneath your feet. Finding the fort too strong, he
demanded Campbell capitulate. Campbell conferred
with Forrest, who convinced the Union commander
he was heavily outnumbered, and Campbell agreed
to surrender. The Confederates then turned north
toward Sulphur Creek Trestle. Forrest invested the
Union garrison there on September 25. An artillery
bombardment and dismounted attack silenced the
Federal guns and induced the fort's surrender. Union
Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Wade reoccupied Fort
Henderson three days later. Forrest's subordinate,
General Abraham Buford,
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attacked Wade on October 1.
Wade utilized a newly constructed bombproof, repulsed
the Confederate assault and eventually forced Buford
to withdraw. For Julius and Samuel Redus, John
Jackson, George Allen, Moses Peete, Doctor Peete,
John Roberts and their comrades, however, they now
faced an uncertain future as prisoners of war.
[Photo captions]
Map: The first fight for Fort Henderson began on September 23. After a
morning skirmish, Colonel Campbell launched a sortie into Athens
against the 2nd Tennessee Cavalry. The following day, reinforcements
from the 18th Michigan and 102nd Ohio nearly broke through
Forrest's line and relieved the garrison. During the second battle in
October, Lieutenant Colonel Wade credited the innovative use of the
bombproof for saving the fort's garrison. American Battlefield Trust
Portrait left: A veteran of the Mexican-
American War, Major General
Lovell Rousseau fought at
Shiloh, Perryville and Stones
River. The head of the District of
Tennessee, it fell to Rousseau to
prevent Confederate incursions
against the Nashville and
Decatur Railroad. Courtesy of the
Library of Congress
Portrait right: Unlike many officers in the
Union and Confederate armies,
Major General Nathan Bedford
Forrest did not receive a formal
military education at West Point.
Still, Forrest's highly effective
operations
Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 18, 2020
2. The Battles of Fort Henderson and Sulphur Creek Trestle Marker
throughout Tennessee,
Alabama and Mississippi made
him a thorn in the side of the
Union high command. Courtesy of
the Library of Congress
Bottom right: This trestle bridge
spanned Sulphur Creek
north of Athens. It was
protected by an earthen
fort and blockhouses.
Forrest considered
these fortifications to
be the strongest on the
railroad. Courtesy of
Limestone County Archives
Erected 2020 by American Battlefield Trust & Paul Bryant Jr.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is September 24, 1864.
Location. 34° 47.89′ N, 86° 58.811′ W. Marker is in Athens, Alabama, in Limestone County. Marker can be reached from Trinity Circle north of Browns Ferry Street (County Road 29), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 606 Trinity Cir, Athens AL 35611, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 700 times since then and 87 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 19, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 3. submitted on October 20, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
