Near Hartselle in Morgan County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Skirmish at Woodall's Bridge
April 7, 1864
Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, April 5, 2014
1. Skirmish at Woodall's Bridge Marker
An estimated 600 Confederate and Union troops skirmished on this site on April 7, 1864 for control of crucial troop movements south of the Tennessee River during the Federal occupation of North Alabama.
Confederate Brigadier General James Holt Clanton led forces based in Danville against a Federal cavalry from the garrison at Decatur for control of Woodall's Bridge.
The bridge was the primary route for east-west movement in Morgan County after an important river bridge at Decatur was burned two years earlier. Troops needed access to Woodall's Bridge to move across the county and defend their picket positions.
The Confederate strength was initially 40 men, with another 200 becoming engaged. The Union forces were estimated at 350 men. The Confederates chased the Union cavalry back to Decatur after the skirmish.
The next day smaller cavalry units of both forces skirmished on this site with the Confederates again chasing the Union forces back towards Decatur.
Erected 2014 by Hartselle Historical Society and the Alabama Tourism Board.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1910.
Location. 34° 26.543′ N, 86° 58.994′
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama. 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 original Cherokee Nation, 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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: City of Hartselle, Alabama / Hartselle Facts (approx. 2.8 miles away); The Great Hartselle Bank Robbery / Three Hours Required to Accomplish Heist (approx. 2.9 miles away); Bethel Road Historical District (approx. 3.6 miles away); West View (approx. 5 miles away); Cedar Plains Christian Church (approx. 5.4 miles away); McKendree Cemetery and the Massey Community / Charles Christopher Sheats 1839-1904 (approx. 5½ miles away); a different marker also named Dave Albritton (approx. 5.9 miles away); Original Falkville Town Hall Building / Falkville Water Tower (approx. 6.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hartselle.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Dave Albritton (was approx. 5.9 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, April 5, 2014
2. Skirmish at Woodall's Bridge Marker
Marker was dedicated on April 5th, almost exactly 150 years after the skirmish.
Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, April 5, 2014
3. Highway 36 bridge
The modern highway bridge stands in almost the exact same spot at the wartime Woodall's Bridge.
Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, May 24, 2014
4. Skirmish at Woodall's Bridge Marker dedication program
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, May 10, 2026
5. Skirmish at Woodall's Bridge Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2014, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 3,400 times since then and 123 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 5, 2014, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. 4. submitted on June 7, 2014, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. 5. submitted on May 14, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
