Battle of Columbia

Battle of Columbia Began: November 24, 1864 Ended: November 29, 1864 Location: Maury County, Tennessee Theater: Western Theater Campaign: Franklin-Nashville Campaign Outcome: Confederate victory Combatants XXIII Army Corps IV Army Corps (detachments) Army of Tennessee Commanders John M. Schofield Major General, USA John B. Hood Lieutenant General, CSA Strength 28,000 35,000 Casualties

Conflict near Columbia, during Hood’s 1864 Tennessee invasion, constituted a Confederate diversion as part of a maneuver designed to cross the Duck River upstream and interdict the Union army’s line of communications with Nashville. As Gen. John Bell Hood’s army advanced northeastward from Florence, Alabama, Maj. Gen. John M. Schofield’s force quickly withdrew from Pulaski to Columbia, arriving on November 24, just ahead of Forrest’s Rebel cavalry. The Federals built two lines of earthworks south of the town while skirmishing with enemy cavalry on November 24 and 25. Hood advanced his infantry on the following day but did not assault. He made demonstrations along the front while marching two corps of his army to Davis Ford, some five miles eastward on the Duck River. Schofield correctly interpreted Hood’s moves, but foul weather prevented him from crossing to the north bank before November 28, leaving Columbia to the Confederates. The next day, both armies marched north for Spring Hill. Schofield had slowed Hood’s movement but had not stopped him. (NPS summary)