Pocahontas in Hardeman County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Engagement at Davis Bridge
October 5, 1862
With the southern army blocked by Federals advancing from Bolivar, Tennessee, fierce fighting engulfed the crossing. The day long conflict ended east of the river with the Confederates escaping to the south. The failure to retake Corinth proved the last Confederate offensive in Mississippi, as Union forces seized the initiative, and began a final relentless nine-month offensive to capture Vicksburg and take control of the Mississippi River.
Inset top: Photo of Union troops (re-enactors) advancing in line of battle.
Inset: Location map
Inset Bottom Left - portrait of General Van Dorn, CSA, captioned: The Commander of the Confederate forces, General Earl Van Dorn was headstrong and impulsive. Troops under his leadership incurred serious defeats at both Pea Ridge and Corinth, after which he was relieved of army command. Better suited to cavalry tactics, he conducted the daring raid on the Union supply depot at Holly Springs in December 1862, which helped thwart General U.S. Grant's first attempt to capture Vicksburg.
Inset Bottom Right - portrait of General Ord, USA, captioned: General E.O.C. Ord, commander of the Union troops, was wounded at Davis Bridge. He referred to it as "the miserable bridge." After recovering from his wounds, Ord returned to active duty during the Siege of Vicksburg. He served under General U.S. Grant through the remainder of the War and in 1865 commanded the Army of the James, directing it with great skill at both Petersburg and Appomattox.
Erected by National Park Service - Shiloh National Military Park.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant series list. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1862.
Location. 35° 1.64′ N, 88° 47.997′ W. Marker is in Pocahontas, Tennessee, in Hardeman County. Marker is on Essary Springs Road, 1.1 miles south of Wolf Pen Road, on the right when traveling north. The marker is at a small parking area and marks the start of a trail leading to the battlefield at the Hatchie River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pocahontas TN 38061, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Battle of Davis Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hell on the Hatchie (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Davis Bridge (approx. 1˝ miles away); Battle of Tuscumbia (approx. 3.8 miles away); Battle Of Chewalla (approx. 8.7 miles away); Veteran's Plaza (approx. 11 miles away); Kossuth (approx. 14 miles away in Mississippi); Corporal Orvil Lucian Cotton (approx. 14.9 miles away in Mississippi). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pocahontas.
Regarding Engagement at Davis Bridge. The trail to the Hatchie River battle site is about 1500 feet long and passes beside a small graveyard with the gravestones of both Union and Confederate soldiers. The trail follows the Civil War-era route of State Line Road. As of 2012 plans are in progress to install additional interpretive signage and a footbridge to recently preserved park land on the east side of the river.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2012, by David Graff of Halifax, Nova Scotia. This page has been viewed 881 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 7, 2012, by David Graff of Halifax, Nova Scotia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.