New Johnsonville in Humphreys County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Forrest's Opening Move
The Battle of Johnsonville
| — | November 4, 1864 | — |
Photographed by Don Morfe, April 19, 2014
1. Forrest's Opening Move Marker
Forrest’s Navy
Forrest blockaded the Tennessee River between Fort Heiman and Paris Landing. In two days, Forrest’s force burned two supply boats and captured a gunboat and a supply boat.
On November 2, 1864, Forrest moved his makeshift two-ship navy—the now armed supply boat Venus and the gunboat Undine—toward Johnsonville. Two Union gunboats attacked, recapturing the Venus. A second naval battle the next day brought an end to the Undine.
His fleet lost, Forrest again blockaded the river. He bottled up the Union gunboats at Johnsonville and prevented gunboats from Paducah from aiding their comrades.
“That devil Forrest was down about Johnsonville, making havoc with the gunboats and transports.” Gen. William T. Sherman.
(captions)
(upper right) Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, C.S.A Alabama Department of Archives and Library
(lower left) Forrest leads his cavalry along the river bank as the Venus
this page online
(lower right) Gen. William T. Sherman, U.S.A. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Erected by Tennessee State Parks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1864.
Location. 36° 3.77′ N, 87° 57.939′ W. Marker is in New Johnsonville, Tennessee, in Humphreys County. It is on Old Johnsonville Road half a mile west of Nell Beard Road, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located on the grounds of the Johnsonville State Historic Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Johnsonville TN 37134, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee and in the Highland Rim. It is also in the American 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 walking distance of this marker: Forrest Shells the Depot (here, next to this marker); The Final Tally (here, next to this marker); The Horse Corral (within shouting distance of this marker); The Union Supply Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); Artillery at Johnsonville (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Tennessee River in the Civil War (about 300 feet away); Winfrey Cemetery (about 500 feet away); Lower Redoubt (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Johnsonville.
Also see . . .
Photographed by Don Morfe, April 19, 2014
2. Forrest's Opening Move Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 874 times since then and 14 times this year. Last updated on July 10, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 14, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
