Moscow in Fayette County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Battle of Moscow
⎯⎯⎯
Union Troops of African Descent

Front of Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 16, 2009

1. Front of Marker

Inscription. Battle of Moscow
December 4, 1863Three thousand Confederate cavalry with artillery, led by Gen. James Chalmers, attacked the Memphis & Charleston Railroad bridge over Wolf River and ambushed Col. Edward Hatch's brigade of Union cavalry crossing the river on the state line road wagon bridge. Intense fighting ensued and fortified Union artillery bombarded the Confederate rear. Union losses were 175 men and 100 horses. Near sunset, the Confederates withdrew, with a loss of 30 killed and 54 taken prisoners. Later, the Yankees burned the town of Moscow, leaving only two residences.

Union Troops of African DescentUnion troops manning the nearby fort and protecting the railroad at Moscow included African-American troops of the 2nd Regiment, West Tennessee Infantry, under command of Col. Frank Kendrick. When attacked the regiment fought from rifle pits on the east bank of Wolf River. The unit was instrumental in repelling the Confederate attack. Gen. Stephen A. Hurlbut, commander of the 16th Army Corps, Memphis, later issued public praise, citing the regiment's "gallant and successful defense of the important position."

Erected by Tennessee

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Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4E 162.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 4, 1863.

Location. 35° 3.599′ N, 89° 23.983′ W. Marker is in Moscow, Tennessee, in Fayette County. It is on Main Street (State Highway 57), on the right when traveling west. Located on the west end of the bridge over Wolf River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Moscow TN 38057, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Tennessee

and in Greater Memphis.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the 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 9 miles of this marker,

Back of Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 16, 2009

2. Back of Marker

measured as the crow flies: Battle of Moscow (here, next to this marker); The Skirmish at Lafayette Station (approx. 8.1 miles away); "Mississippi" Fred McDowell (approx. 8.2 miles away); Lucy Petway Holcombe Pickens House (approx. 8.7 miles away); Home of Lucy Holcombe Pickens (approx. 8.8 miles away); Grierson's Raid (approx. 8.9 miles away); La Grange (approx. 8.9 miles away); LaGrange (approx. 8.9 miles away).

Additional keywords. USCT

Marker's New Location image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, October 21, 2010

3. Marker's New Location

Looking east along Highway 57, marker is now located in front of the Moscow City Hall, at the corner of Highway 57 and Somerville Street, adjacent to a Tennessee Civil War Trails wayside.

Battle of Moscow Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, October 21, 2010

4. Battle of Moscow Marker

Looking west along TN 57.

Front of Marker at Old Location image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 16, 2009

5. Front of Marker at Old Location

The swampy and meandering bottom land of the Wolf River runs behind the marker. The railroad passed north of this point.

Back of Marker at Old Location image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 16, 2009

6. Back of Marker at Old Location

Looking past the marker into downtown Moscow.

Wolf River near the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen Gathman, July 14, 2007

7. Wolf River near the marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 5,125 times since then and 241 times this year. Last updated on March 15, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 24, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on October 22, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. 4. submitted on October 26, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. 5, 6. submitted on May 24, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 7. submitted on August 1, 2010, by Allen Gathman of Pocahontas, Missouri. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

Battle of Moscow⎯⎯⎯Union Troops of African Descent

Battle of Moscow
⎯⎯⎯
Union Troops of African Descent