Near Muscle Shoals in Colbert County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Confederate Retreat at the Tennessee River

Photographed by Joel S Mize, September 2, 2022

1. Confederate Retreat at the Tennessee River Marker

Inscription.
After the battles of Franklin and Nashville, the defeated Confederate Army of the Tennessee retreated southward in severe winter weather. At Old Bainbridge near here on December 26, 1864, its soldiers began to cross the Tennessee River on a pontoon bridge. On the morning of December 20, North Carolina and Texas troops, the last brigade of the rear guard, crossed over, ending the campaign.

"They did their work bravely to the last" —Union General George H. Thomas

Erected 2015 by Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 26, 1864.

Location. 34° 47.449′ N, 87° 33.812′ W. Marker is near Muscle Shoals, Alabama, in Colbert County. It is on Bainbridge Road (County Road 83) 0.3 miles north of River Road (County Route 40), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Muscle Shoals AL 35661, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama

and in the Shoals.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bainbridge (approx. one mile away); Clyde Carter House (approx. 2 miles away); The Old Brick Presbyterian Church

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(approx. 2.6 miles away); The TVA System of Multi-Purpose Dams (approx. 3.3 miles away); Wilson Dam and the TVA System (approx. 3½ miles away); How Does Wilson Dam Work? (approx. 3½ miles away); Origin of the Francis Turbine (approx. 3½ miles away); Birds of North Alabama (approx. 3.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Muscle Shoals.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 3, 2022, by Joel S Mize of Muscle Shoals AL, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,171 times since then and 57 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on September 3, 2022, by Joel S Mize of Muscle Shoals AL, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

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