New Johnsonville in Humphreys County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Forrest Shells the Depot

The Battle of Johnsonville

— November 4, 1864 —

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, July 10, 2021

1. The Battle of Johnsonville Marker

Inscription. Capt. John W. Morton, Forrest's chief of artillery, discovered a serious flaw in Johnsonville's defenses. The guns in the fortification could not be depressed enough to hit cannon placed behind the levee on the opposite side of the river. The gunboats would fire over the cannon. Morton's skill in placing his artillery proved disastrous for the Union supply depot.

Johnsonville Burns

The Confederates opened fire at two o'clock on the afternoon of November 4, 1864. Union artillery and gunboats returned fire. The Second U.S. Colored Artillery dismounted one enemy gun. Union sharpshooters disabled some gunners. But the Federal fire was almost useless. Within minutes the gunboats were on fire.

Acting on the advice of the naval commander, Johnsonville's commander ordered the supply boats burned to keep them out of Confederate hands. It was a serious mistake. Strong winds drove the flames to the warehouses and supplies piled nearby. That night the Confederates withdrew by the light of the burning depot.

(captions)
John W. Morton
The Battle of Johnsonville by Harmon, courtesy Tennessee State Parks

Erected by Tennessee State Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans

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• Parks & Recreational Areas • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is November 4, 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 west of Museum Road, on the right when traveling west. Located in 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's Opening Move (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 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Tennessee River in the Civil War (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 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 . . . Johnsonville State Historic Park. Tennessee State Parks (Submitted on July 12, 2021.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 12, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 301 times since then and 16 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on July 10, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide shot of marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?