Battle of Columbia

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Columbia


caption=
partof=the American Civil War
date=November 24 – November 29, 1864
place=Maury County, Tennessee
result=Confederate victory
combatant1= flagicon|USA|1863 United States (Union)
combatant2= flagicon|CSA|1863 CSA (Confederacy)
commander1=John M. Schofield
commander2=John Bell Hood
strength1=XXIII Corps
VI Corps
strength2=Army of Tennessee
casualties1=
casualties2=

The Battle of Columbia was fought from November 24 to November 29, 1864, in Maury County, Tennessee, as part of the Franklin-Nashville Campaign of the American Civil War.

The battle 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 Nathan Bedford Forrest’s Rebel cavalry.

The Federals built two lines of earthworks south of the town while skirmishing with enemy cavalry on November 24 and November 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 (8 km) 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.

References

* [http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/bycampgn.htm National Park Service battle description]