Florence in Lauderdale County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

General Hood's Narrow Escape

December 26, 1864

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, July 23, 2009

1. General Hood's Narrow Escape Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Following his tragic defeat at Franklin and Nashville, General John B. Hood managed to escape over the Tennessee River at Bainbridge Ferry, a few miles south of here on December 26, 1864. Two corps under General Benjamin Cheatham and Stephen D. Lee were the first to cross, followed by men under General Alexander P. Stewart. General Nathan B. Forrest and Edward C. Walthall were the last to escape over this treacherous pontoon crossing which narrowly missed becoming one of history's bloodiest fields of slaughter.

Erected by Florence Historical Board, Florence, Alabama.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1965.

Location. 34° 47.972′ N, 87° 39.829′ W. Marker is in Florence, Alabama, in Lauderdale County. Marker is on Veterans Drive. Marker is located beside Florence Coliseum on Veterans Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Florence AL 35630, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Old Confederate Fort (a few steps from this marker); Soldier's Rest (approx. 0.2 miles away); Patton Elementary School

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(approx. 0.3 miles away); Florence Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); St. Joseph Catholic Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); "Mountain" Tom Clark (approx. 0.4 miles away); Florence Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America (approx. 0.4 miles away); East Florence Historic District (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 3, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,821 times since then and 93 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on September 3, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.