Tuscumbia in Colbert County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Engagement at Little Bear Creek
October 26-27, 1863
Photographed by Billy Clemmons, November 9, 2024
1. Engagement at Bear Creek marker (side 1)
Inscription.
Engagement at Little Bear Creek. October 26-27, 1863. , As Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman attempted to rebuild the Memphis and Charleston Railroad in the fall of 1863 to relieve the besieged Union Army in Chattanooga, his 15th Army Corps encountered stiff resistance from Confederate cavalry and artillery commanded by Maj. Gen. Stephen D. Lee and Brig. Gen. Phillip D. Roddey. From this vicinity, in the afternoon of October 26, 1863, 8,000 Union troops, led by Maj. Gen. Frank P. Blair and division commanders Brig. Gen. Peter J. Osterhaus and Brig. Gen. Morgan L. Smith, advanced along the railroad bed toward Little Bear Creek, one mile to the east. They were opposed by 3,500 to 4,000 Confederates in positions on the east side of the stream between the Tennessee River and the upper ford about one mile south of the railroad. The rifled cannon of Owen's Arkansas Battery and Ferrell's Georgia Battery opened fire on the enemy at a range of 2,500 yards. The 4th Ohio Battery and 1st Missouri Artillery returned fire and an artillery duel ensued., Union skirmishers supported by infantry succeeded in crossing Little Bear Creek on the Confederates' exposed left flank. Then the Union infantry made several attacks on the Confederate cavalry south of the railroad bridge. Col. Jeffery E. Forrest led a vigorous charge and drove the Union troops back to the tree line at the creek. But the Confederates were repelled by intense rifle fire from the Union infantry and Forrest was severely wounded. Both armies retired about five o'clock and camped for the night. Early on October 27, 1863, Blair sent a brigade to a ford farther up the creek and attacked there. After a furious fight, Lee's forces retreated to Tuscumbia and beyond. The Federals occupied Tuscumbia but withdrew the next day and abandoned the unfinished railroad. Sherman then crossed the river and marched through Lauderdale County. Total casualties at Little Bear Creek were about 65 killed and wounded. The Confederates captured a medical supply wagon during this engagement.
As Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman attempted to rebuild the Memphis & Charleston Railroad in the fall of 1863 to relieve the besieged Union Army in Chattanooga, his 15th Army Corps encountered stiff resistance from Confederate cavalry and artillery commanded by Maj. Gen. Stephen D. Lee and Brig. Gen. Phillip D. Roddey. From this vicinity, in the afternoon of October 26, 1863, 8,000 Union troops, led by Maj. Gen. Frank P. Blair and division commanders Brig. Gen. Peter J. Osterhaus and Brig. Gen. Morgan L. Smith, advanced along the railroad bed toward Little Bear Creek, one mile to the east. They were opposed by 3,500 to 4,000 Confederates in positions on the east side of the stream between the Tennessee River and the upper ford about one mile south of the railroad. The rifled cannon of Owen's Arkansas Battery and Ferrell's Georgia Battery opened fire on the enemy at a range of 2,500 yards. The 4th Ohio Battery and 1st Missouri Artillery returned fire and an artillery duel ensued.
Union skirmishers supported by infantry succeeded in crossing Little Bear Creek on the Confederates' exposed left flank. Then the Union infantry
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made several attacks on the Confederate cavalry south of the railroad bridge. Col. Jeffery E. Forrest led a vigorous charge and drove the Union troops back to the tree line at the creek. But the Confederates were repelled by intense rifle fire from the Union infantry and Forrest was severely wounded. Both armies retired about five o'clock and camped for the night. Early on October 27, 1863, Blair sent a brigade to a ford farther up the creek and attacked there. After a furious fight, Lee's forces retreated to Tuscumbia and beyond. The Federals occupied Tuscumbia but withdrew the next day and abandoned the unfinished railroad. Sherman then crossed the river and marched through Lauderdale County. Total casualties at Little Bear Creek were about 65 killed and wounded. The Confederates captured a medical supply wagon during this engagement.
Erected 2023 by Sponsored by the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Alabama Division, Camp NO. 898 Tuscumbia, and the Colbert County Historical Landmarks Foundation, Alabama Historical Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is October 26, 1863.
Location. Marker
Photographed by Billy Clemmons, November 9, 2024
2. Engagement at Little Bear Creek marker (side 2)
has been reported missing. It was located near 34° 42.629′ N, 87° 44.739′ W. Marker was in Tuscumbia, Alabama, in Colbert County. It was at the intersection of Old Lee Highway and East Lee Highway (U.S. 72), on the right when traveling west on Old Lee Highway. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 10230 Old Lee Hwy, Tuscumbia AL 35674, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in North Alabama and in the Shoals. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it was in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2024, by Billy Clemmons of Florence, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,285 times since then and 154 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 9, 2024, by Billy Clemmons of Florence, Alabama. 3. submitted on July 24, 2026, by David Curott of Florence, Alabama. 4. submitted on July 28, 2026, by David Curott of Florence, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
