Near Tuskegee in Macon County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Battle of Chehaw Station

Photographed by Mark Hilton, May 21, 2023

1. Battle of Chehaw Station Marker

Inscription. In July 1864, Union Gen. Wm. T. Sherman sent Maj. Gen. L.H. Rousseau to Alabama with 2500 cavalry to cut the rail link remaining to Confederates defending Atlanta: the West Point & Montgomery Railroad. On 18 July, 3 Union units arrived at Chehaw Station, to be opposed by about 500 Confederates, mostly volunteers 15-17 years old who had never been under fire, were poorly armed, outnumbered, & commanded by an officer they had never seen. 1st Ala. Reserves came by freight from Pollard; 54 Univ. of Ala. cadets joined at Montgomery; conscripts from Camp Watts in Notasulga met them at Chehaw Station. Maj. Bryan Thomas, in overall command, took their train over Uphaupee Creek trestle to Beaseley's tank, where Union Maj. Baird reported he had met a superior force of the enemy." Obsolete muskets faced Sharps carbines & Spenser repeating rifles for several hours before Union reinforcements arrived, forcing the Boys' Brigade to fall back. Rousseau then withdrew his men rather than to delay further destroying the railroad. Final casualty count: Cadets, 2 wounded; Reserves. 48 killed or wounded; conscripts 15 wounded,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

17 missing. The Union had 3 killed, 11 wounded, and 1 captured.

Erected 2018 by Admiral Semmes Chapter #57 UDC Auburn, AL & the Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association, and the United Daughters of the Confederacy series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1864.

Location. 32° 28.778′ N, 85° 43.259′ W. Marker is near Tuskegee, Alabama, in Macon County. It is at the intersection of Alabama Route 199 and Old Chehaw Road, on the right when traveling north on Alabama Route 199. Located deep along the tree line. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tuskegee AL 36083, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Black Belt.

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,

Battle of Chehaw Station Marker looking north on AL-199. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, May 21, 2023

2. Battle of Chehaw Station Marker looking north on AL-199.

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Anticipation (approx. 2.7 miles away); Harris Barrett School / The Southern Improvement Company (SIC) (approx. 2.7 miles away); They Came to Tuskegee (approx. 2.8 miles away); The Tuskegee Airmen (approx. 2.8 miles away); Prepared to Fight and Die (approx. 2.8 miles away); Ghost Structures (approx. 2.8 miles away); FIRE! (approx. 2.8 miles away); Hangar No. 1 (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tuskegee.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Tuskegee Veterans Administration Hospital (was approx. 2.7 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. Marker was approved by the Alabama Historical Association in 2017 (year on the marker) but the marker was erected in 2018.

Regarding Battle of Chehaw Station. Also known as Skirmish at Chehaw Station, and the Battle of Beasely’s Tank (or Beasely's Farm).

Also see . . . Battle of Chehaw Station - Macon History. (Submitted on May
Photographed by Mark Hilton, May 21, 2023

3. Battle of Chehaw Station Marker looking NNE towards Old Chehaw Road.
21, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Maj. Gen. Lovell Harrison Rousseau image. Click for full size.

Public domain (LOC)

4. Maj. Gen. Lovell Harrison Rousseau

Credits. This page was last revised on August 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 21, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,486 times since then and 120 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 21, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.