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Dover in Stewart County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
 

Morrison's Brigade

McClernand's Division

 
 
Morrison's Brigade Tablet image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 4, 2010
1. Morrison's Brigade Tablet
Inscription.
U.S.A.
Brigadier General
John A. McClernand's Division
Colonel William R. Morrison's Brigade
17th Illinois, Major Francis M. Smith
49th Illinois, Lieut. Colonel Phineas Pease

On February 13, 1862, about 10 a.m., this brigade crossed Indian Creek Valley and took a position in the woods wst of here, within a quarter of a mile of these trenches. About noon, the brigade, with the 48th Illinois attached, received orders to attack Maney's Battery. Forming in line of battle under cover of the woods, the brigade advanced with the 49th Illinois on the right, the 48th Illinois on the left, and the 17th Illinois in the center. A company, deployed as skirmishers, preceded each regiment. The brigade ascended the steep hillside, the troops working their way laboriously through the almost impenetrable obstacle of the felled trees. Approaching to within 50 paces of this line of trenches, the brigade came under severe crossfire of the Confederate artillery and musketry. Although reinforced by the 45th Illinois, which came across the valley from Wynn's Ferry Road and formed on the right, all efforts to take the Confederate position failed. The
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battle lasted about an hour. Colonel Morrison, gallantly leading his command to the assault, fell wounded by a musket ball. Severe losses finally compelled the brigade to withdraw from action. The 45th and 48th Regiments rejoined Wallace's Brigade along Wynn's Ferry Road. Owing to Colonel Morrison's disability, the 49th and 17th Illinois were temporary attached to Wallace's brigade.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1862.
 
Location. 36° 28.731′ N, 87° 50.974′ W. Marker is in Dover, Tennessee, in Stewart County. It can be reached from Sandy Road, on the right when traveling north. Located at Maney's Battery, on a trail following the outer Confederate entrenchments, in Fort Donelson National Battlefield. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dover TN 37058, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee and in the Highland Rim. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the
Morrison's Brigade Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Shane Oliver, February 7, 2021
2. Morrison's Brigade Marker
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 walking distance of this marker: Maney's Battery (a few steps from this marker); Heiman's Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Trenches (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wharton's Brigade (approx. Ό mile away); French's Battery (approx. Ό mile away); Forrest's Cavalry (approx. 0.3 miles away); Confederate Breakout (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Confederate Breakout (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dover.
 
Also see . . .  Fort Donelson. National Park Service site. (Submitted on November 28, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.) 
 
Morrison's Brigade Tablet image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 4, 2010
3. Morrison's Brigade Tablet
Just beyond the treeline is a modern housing subdivision, covering much of the area over which Morrison's brigade advanced during the battle.
Confederate Trenches image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 4, 2010
4. Confederate Trenches
The remains of the trenches which were the objective of Morrison's attack.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 871 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos:   1. submitted on November 28, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.   2. submitted on May 10, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia.   3, 4. submitted on November 28, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
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Jul. 18, 2026