Decatur in Morgan County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Battle of Decatur
Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, November 29, 2015
1. Battle of Decatur Marker
The Battle of Decatur, Oct. 26-29, 1864, was the result of Confederate Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood's effort to move his army across the Tennessee River and into central Tennessee in an attempt to reclaim Nashville. The engagement occurred as part of the larger Franklin-Nashville Campaign. The Union garrison at Decatur, commanded by U.S. Brig. Gen. Robert S. Granger, prevented Hood from crossing and forced him to move his army westward and eventually cross the river at Tuscumbia some 40 miles away. Ultimately the engagement here would delay Hood's crossing of the Tennessee River and contribute to his failure in December to retake Nashville for the Confederacy. A lack of provisions for his starving army and stiff resistance put forth by Granger's garrison, combined with the arrival of two Union gunboats, convinced Hood and his superior, Confederate Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard, who had arrived on the scene the night of Oct. 27, that further action against Decatur would be foolhardy. During the engagement, the South suffered approx. 450 casualties, whereas the Union lost 155 men.
Erected 2015 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
this page online
Location. 34° 36.842′ N, 86° 59.008′ W. Marker is in Decatur, Alabama, in Morgan County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Bank Street NE and Church Street NE. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 925 Bank Street NE, Decatur AL 35601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Decatur and The Civil War in North Alabama (a few steps from this marker); Hood’s Middle Tennessee Campaign and The Battle for Decatur (a few steps from this marker); Old State Bank Building (a few steps from this marker); Rising Sun Lodge No. 29 (a few steps from this marker); Old Decatur Historic District / Old State Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Downtown/Founders Park (within shouting distance of this marker); To Commemorate the Passage of The Olympic Torch (within shouting distance of this marker); Two Bridges Across The Tennessee River (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Decatur.
Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, November 29, 2015
2. Battle of Decatur Marker
Marker in distance (yellow arrow)
Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, November 29, 2015
3. Battle of Decatur Marker
Marker in distance (yellow arrow) in relation to Hood’s Middle Tennessee Campaign and The Battle for Decatur
“A Hard Nut To Crack” Marker.
Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, November 29, 2015
4. Battle of Decatur Marker
Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, November 29, 2015
5. Battle of Decatur Marker
View of The Old State Bank Building from the Markers location.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 983 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 30, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
