New Johnsonville in Humphreys County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
United States Colored Troops at Johnsonville
Battle of Johnsonville
November 4, 1864
Johnsonville's 2,500-man garrison consisted of the 12th and 13th U.S. Colored Infantries, the 43rd Wisconsin Infantry, and Meig's Battery—Company A, 2nd U.S. Colored Light Artillery.
The garrison faced Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest in early November 1864. While Forrest's attack succeeded, the men fought well. The gunners of Meig's Battery hit one of the Confederate guns, forcing them to pull back. Sharpshooters of the 13th U.S.C.I. drove Confederate soldiers from the riverbank.
The Battle of Nashville
December 15-16, 1864
All of the United States Colored Troops who fought at Johnsonville faced the Confederates again at the Battle of Nashville. As part of the Second Colored Brigade they were in the forefront of the assault on the Confederate works on Peach Orchard Hill (Overton Hill). Their valor and determination earned them the praise of not only their Union comrades, but also of the Confederates they fought.
(captions)
(lower center) Company A, 2nd U.S. Colored Artillery at Johnsonville. They fought at the Battle of Johnsonville and at the Battle of Nashville.
(upper right) The 13th U.S. Colored Infantry lost 40% of its men in the assault of Overton Hill.
Erected by Tennessee State Parks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1864.
Location. 36° 3.643′ N, 87° 57.626′ W. Marker is in New Johnsonville, Tennessee, in Humphreys County. Marker can be reached from Old Johnsonville Road, half a mile west of Nell Beard Road, on the right when traveling west. The marker is on the grounds of the Johnsonville State Historic Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 900 Nell Beard Road, New Johnsonville TN 37134, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Johnsonville (within shouting distance of this marker); Garrison Troops (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Johnsonville (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Nashville and Northwestern Railroad (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Town of Johnsonville (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Turntable (approx. ¼ mile away); Building the Upper Redoubt (approx. 0.3 miles away); Old Johnsonville Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Johnsonville.
Also see . . . Johnsonville State Historic Park. (Submitted on June 15, 2014.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 15, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 645 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on July 14, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 15, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.