Madison in Madison County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Affair at Madison Station / Affair at Indian Creek Ford
May 17, 1864 / December 23, 1864
The largest engagement of the Civil War in Madison County was fought during a driving rainstorm here at the site of the railroad depot. Under the command of Col. Josiah Patterson, the Confederate forces (~1000 cavalry and a battery of artillery) crossed the Tennessee River near Triana and attacked a garrison of ~350 men of the 13th Illinois Infantry. Union forces fell back along the railroad toward Huntsville to Indian Creek. They counterattacked after being reinforced by infantry from Huntsville. Confederates were forced back across the river after burning equipment and cotton at the depot. Casualties were light on both sides.
[Reverse]
One of the last engagements between regular forces of the Civil War in Madison County occurred ~2 1/2 miles east of this spot on a bitterly cold day. Union elements of the 10th~13th Indiana Cavalries and the 2nd Tennessee Cavalry (US), under Lt. Col. W.F. Prosser, attacked a force of ~300 dismounted cavalry from Roddey's, Burtwell's and Moreland's regiments, commanded by Col. J.R.B. Burtwell. The Union force made a mounted saber charge which resulted in disorganized Confederate retreat. Union losses were 1 killed and 3 wounded, while the Confederate loss was reported as several killed and 54 wounded and captured.
Erected 2004 by Alabama Historical Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list.
Location. 34° 41.632′ N, 86° 44.95′ W. Marker is in Madison, Alabama, in Madison County. Marker is at the intersection of Front Street and Church Street, on the right when traveling east on Front Street. Located on Front St. beside the Roundhouse. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Madison AL 35758, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Trail of Tears (within shouting distance of this marker); "The Roundhouse" (within shouting distance of this marker); Madison County Veterans (within shouting distance of this marker); Pension Row (approx. 0.4 miles away); Old Madison Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); Madison Cemetery (approx. half a mile away); James Henry Bibb (approx. 0.7 miles away); Lee Mansion (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 2,116 times since then and 26 times this year. Last updated on July 20, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1. submitted on December 4, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. 2. submitted on March 18, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 3. submitted on March 22, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 4. submitted on December 4, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.