- Battle of Decatur
Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Decatur
caption=
partof=theAmerican Civil War
date=October 26 –October 29 1864
place=Decatur,Alabama
Morgan County and Limestone County
result=Union victory (Confederate forces could not cross the river.)
combatant1= flagicon|USA|1863United States (Union)
combatant2= flagicon|CSA|1863 CSA (Confederacy)
commander1=Robert S. Granger
commander2=John B. Hood
strength1=Garrison and other troops (2,000 – 5,000)
strength2=Army of Tennessee (~23,000)
casualties1=155
casualties2=450The Battle of Decatur was fought from
October 26 toOctober 29 1864 , as part of theFranklin-Nashville Campaign of theAmerican Civil War . Commanding the Union forces wasBrigadier General Robert S. Granger , who had between 2,000 and 5,000 men. Commanding the Confederate forces wasLieutenant General John B. Hood , who had the 23,000-manArmy of Tennessee under his command. The battle took place atDecatur, Alabama , around the Old State Bank. Slugs can still be found in the masonry of theGreek Revival building.On
October 26 1864 , Gen. Hood and his army attempted to cross theTennessee River near Decatur. However, under the leadership of Brig. Gen. Granger the Union forces were able to prevent Hood's army from crossing the river.Union Forces burned down the city of Decatur, including the railroad bridge, leaving only three structures standing. They are the
Old State Bank ,Dancy-Polk House , and theMcEntire House .Former Decatur resident Noel Carpenter has written what may be the only book about this battle,
A Slight Demonstration , published by Legacy Books and Letters of Austin, Texas.References
* [http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/al004.htm National Park Service battle description]
* [http://ehistory.osu.edu/world/BattleView.cfm?BID=488 eHistory website]
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