Tullahoma in Coffee County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Tullahoma Campaign

June 24-July 4, 1863

— Anatomy of a Campaign —

Tullahoma Campaign Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 24, 2014

1. Tullahoma Campaign Marker

Inscription.

Tullahoma Campaign. June 24-July 4, 1863. In late June of 1863, Union Major General William S. Rosecrans launched a massive offensive from his base in Murfreesboro in an attempt to drive Confederate General Braxton Bragg’s 43,000-man Army of Tennessee from its entrenchments at Shelbyville and Wartrace, and possibly out of the state. The Union commander planned to capture Chattanooga and, in his words, “rescue loyal East Tennessee from the hands of the rebels.” The campaign was bold and swift, with relatively few engagements. By July 4th, the Union’s Army of the Cumberland, 70,000 strong, had forced a Confederate retreat to Chattanooga, leaving nearly all of Tennessee in Union hands., Advance to Manchester , To maneuver Bragg out of his Shelbyville trenches, Rosecrans divided his army into four independent columns., The first column, under Major General Gordon Granger, advanced south from Murfreesboro, down what is today US 231, to threaten the main Confederate infantry at Shelbyville. The second, led by Major General Alexander McCook, moved south, through Liberty Gap. The third column, lead by Major General George Thomas, marched southeast, down the Manchester Pike (US 41), the main road to Chattanooga. A fourth column, commanded by Major General Thomas L. Crittenden, advanced due east along the McMinnville Turnpike (US 70) before turning south to cross the Highland Rim below Bradyville, at Gillie’s Gap., Rosecran's goal was to get the bulk of his army to Manchester, then push on to here, Tullahoma. Bragg would then be forced to retreat or fight a battle on ground of Rosecran's choosing. Only rain and the poor conditions of the roads slowed the Union advance. By the evening of June 27, the Union held Shelbyville and Manchester. Bragg's army narrowly escaped to take up positions around Tullahoma., (captions) , (upper right) Confederate General Braxton Bragg; Union Major General William S. Rosecrans , (left) Granger; McCook; Thomas; Crittenden, (Timeline) , 1860 Lincoln Elected Nov 6 . South Carolina Secedes December 20, 1861 Fort Sumter Attacked April 12 . First Manassas July 21, 1862 Shiloh April 1-7 . Second Manassas August 29-30 . Antietam September 11 . Fredericksburg December 13 . Stones River December 31-January 3, 1863 Chancellorsville May 1-4 . Vicksburg May 20-July 4 . Tullahoma Campaign June 24-July 4 . Gettysburg July 1-3 . Chickamauga September 19-20 . Chattanooga November 23-25, 1864 Cold Harbor June 3 . Atlanta September 2 . Franklin November 30 . Nashville December 15-16, 1865 Petersburg April 2 . Lee Surrenders April 9 . Johnston Surrenders April 16 . Forrest Surrenders May 9 . This historical marker was erected by Tennessee's Backroads Heritage. It is in Tullahoma in Coffee County Tennessee

In late June of 1863, Union Major General William S. Rosecrans launched a massive offensive from his base in Murfreesboro in an attempt to drive Confederate General Braxton Bragg’s 43,000-man Army of Tennessee from its entrenchments at Shelbyville and Wartrace, and possibly out of the state. The Union commander planned to capture Chattanooga and, in his words, “rescue loyal East Tennessee from the hands of the rebels.” The campaign was bold and swift, with relatively few engagements. By July 4th, the Union’s Army of the Cumberland, 70,000 strong, had forced a Confederate retreat to Chattanooga, leaving nearly all of Tennessee in Union hands.

Advance to Manchester
To maneuver Bragg out of his Shelbyville trenches, Rosecrans divided his army into four independent columns.

The first column, under Major General Gordon Granger, advanced south from Murfreesboro, down what is today US 231, to threaten the main Confederate infantry at Shelbyville. The second, led by Major General Alexander McCook, moved south, through Liberty Gap. The third column, lead by Major General George
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Thomas, marched southeast, down the Manchester Pike (US 41), the main road to Chattanooga. A fourth column, commanded by Major General Thomas L. Crittenden, advanced due east along the McMinnville Turnpike (US 70) before turning south to cross the Highland Rim below Bradyville, at Gillie’s Gap.

Rosecran's goal was to get the bulk of his army to Manchester, then push on to here, Tullahoma. Bragg would then be forced to retreat or fight a battle on ground of Rosecran's choosing. Only rain and the poor conditions of the roads slowed the Union advance. By the evening of June 27, the Union held Shelbyville and Manchester. Bragg's army narrowly escaped to take up positions around Tullahoma.

(captions)
(upper right) Confederate General Braxton Bragg; Union Major General William S. Rosecrans
(left) Granger; McCook; Thomas; Crittenden

(Timeline)
1860 Lincoln Elected Nov 6 • South Carolina Secedes December 20

1861 Fort Sumter Attacked April 12 • First Manassas July 21

1862 Shiloh April 1-7 • Second Manassas August 29-30 • Antietam September 11 • Fredericksburg December 13 • Stones River December 31-January 3

1863 Chancellorsville May 1-4 • Vicksburg May 20-July 4 • Tullahoma Campaign June 24-July 4 • Gettysburg July 1-3 • Chickamauga September 19-20

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 24, 2014

2. Tullahoma Campaign Marker

• Chattanooga November 23-25

1864 Cold Harbor June 3 • Atlanta September 2 • Franklin November 30 • Nashville December 15-16

1865 Petersburg April 2 • Lee Surrenders April 9 • Johnston Surrenders April 16 • Forrest Surrenders May 9

Erected by Tennessee's Backroads Heritage.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 12, 1863.

Location. 35° 21.41′ N, 86° 12.442′ W. Marker is in Tullahoma, Tennessee, in Coffee County. Marker is at the intersection of South Jackson Street (U.S. 41A) and West Volney Street, on the right when traveling south on South Jackson Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tullahoma TN 37388, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Tullahoma Campaign (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Tullahoma Campaign (here, next to this marker); Confederate Cemetery (here, next to this marker); Army of Tennessee (here, next to this marker); Isham G. Harris (a few steps from this marker); Camp Forrest (a few steps from this marker); Public Square (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Braxton Bragg's Headquarters Public Square (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tullahoma.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 555 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 13, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.