The Slow Build-Up

Tennessee Campaign, 1863
News from the Front, August 31st - September 16th

August 31st

After being defeated by the resurgent Union force at Hillsboro, Withers withdraws his division south-westwards towards Decherd.

Over towards Loudon, Hascall advances 1st Division of the XXIII Corps up to the Tennessee.

September 1st

Withers continues his retreat to Winchester.

September 2nd

Under increasing pressure from Burnside's Corps, Buckner makes it across the Tennessee, where Jackson's Brigade hold the fortifications around Loudon.

September 3rd

Negley advances towards Tullahoma. Will Cleburne feel the brunt of the Union assault at the Confederate advance base of operations?
Cleburne scouts out the nearby division commanded by Sheridan, finding it somewhat below strength.

September 5th

With the Confederate garrison gone, Carter's division marches into Knoxville.

September 6th

Mitchell's division occupies Beech Grove, helping to secure the Union's line of supply.

Further to the east, McLaw's recently arrived division arrives in Cleveland, beginning the long march northwards to Loudon.
Pegram trails behind, marching to Harrison

September 8th

Hascall scouts across the Tennessee, and discovers that Buckner's division is quite strong.

Palmer, out of supply and somewhat isolated digs in at Hillsboro to await resupply or reinforcements before he advances.

September 9th

Longstreet gains some major boons from the highest command, as significant railway stock is put at his disposal. A large mass of supplies is moved northwards along the line to Athens, within easy reach of Loudon (but under no threat from Burnside's forces)
Wharton's Cavalry Division is put under Longstreet's temporary control, in order to effect some raiding on Union lines, while Polk concentrates on fortifying his positions.

September 10th

Scouting on Davis' division shows it to be a mere scratch force; obviously regiments are being concentrated elsewhere.

September 11th

Sheridan's division moves into Bell Buckle, strengthening the inevitable move towards Tullahoma

At Loudon, Buckner takes command of Jackson's Brigade in the defence of the strong fortifications there.

September 15th

Withers fortifies Winchester.
Wood's division moves towards Murfressboro, obviously Crittenden is still very worried about Forrest's raiding in the vicinity.

September 16th

Rousseau's division is examined closely by scouting forces: are the Confederates planning a counterattack?
Near Murfressboro, an attempt is made to bring Forrest to battle, but the wizard of guerrilla warfare escapes once more!

Battle of Hillsboro

General Withers, confident after his victory at Pelham, pursues his opponent to Hillsboro. There General Palmer has prepared well against the expected advance, and instead of awaiting the Confederates, decides to attack.

A large force, under General Hazen advances across open ground in the centre.



On the Union right, rival cavalry regiments eye each other along the road. But leave the early advances to the infantry, preferring to exploit success. The Union manage to take control of a hill overlooking some Confederate regiments, and seek to support their fellows' advance.



On the Union left the action is opened by a gallant charge to take the Confederate guns overlooking the river. If these are taken the entire Confederate right will be open. The attack is singularly unsuccessful, despite the leadership of General Cruft and the regiments are cruelly beaten back, as are the supporting infantry regiments.

The Confederate instead cross the river themselves and seek to turn the Union instead.



So as to help ensure the success of this demonstration a larger attack is planned closer to the centre of the battlefield.



In the centre proper, a large Union "grand battery" supports the assault by General Hazen.



As a Union infantry regiment makes towards the Ward's Farm on their extreme right, two Confederate cavalry regiments pounce with telling effect. The decimated regiments rushes to relative safety within the farm buildings and fences.



The Union cavalry rushes to relieve their comrades, with the aid of another infantry regiment and the Confederates withdraw slightly.



In the centre, General Hazen's assault is initially successful, though with losses. The Confederate counter-attack is insufficient to throw them back.



The brave infantry regiments take the hill and threaten the line of retreat of the Confederates.



On the right, despite the successful cavalry attack by the Confederates they are left weakened and unable to exploit. Union forces are similarly disadvantaged and a lull ensues.



In the centre, General Hazen leads a brigade to a nearby ridge which commands the remaining Confederate battery at Peterson's Farm.



Despite direct intervention from General Manigault, his Brigade is broken by the assault.



On the Union right a large assault is made by General Grose, pushing back the Confederates with sever effects.



The brave counter-attack cannot change the course of the battle, as General Withers withdraws back to Pelham.

Reinforcements arrive in Tennessee

Tennessee Campaign, 1863,
News from the Front, August 26th - August 30th

August 26th

The reinforcements Bragg has been promising to Generals Polk and Hardee finally arrives by rail to Chattanooga. Breckinridge’s and Walker’s divisions join Polk’s and Hardee’s Corps respectively. A huge fillip to the Confederate cause is the arrival of Longstreet’s Corps (of McLaw’s and Hood’s divisions). Much to the chagrin of General Buckner, whose forces are placed under Longstreet’s command.

This is counterbalanced by the long-feared arrival of General Burnside out of the Cumberland Gap, north of Knoxville.

August 27th

Sheridan builds a supply depot right outside Tullahoma. Is the Union preparing an assault on the Confederates advanced base of operations?

Cheatham moves back to Pelham, Buckner’s previous orders holding little weight with Polk.
Buckner himself loses his nerve in front of Burnside’s newly arrived divisions, abandoning Knoxville and retreating towards Loudon.

McLaw starts his division up the rail line towards Loudon; it seems like Longstreet’s intention is to defend against a crossing over the Tennessee River by Burnside.

Walker’s Division leaves Chattanooga and moves into Wauhatchie. Meanwhile Wood’s Division marches towards McMinnville.

Burnside whips his Corps into action; Ferrero moves towards Knoxville, eager to capture the town and the abundant supplies built up there by the Confederates. Hascall and Hartranft advance towards Loudon; will they be able to cut off Buckner?

August 28th

DeCourcy converges with Hartranft. Hascall continues his advance towards Loudon; will he be able to cut off Buckner from safety?

Somehow Forrest manages to supply his tired cavalry division, and skirts around Union defences to arrive at the outskirts of Murfressboro.

August 29th

Buckner’s Division reaches the Tennessee before the Union. Just in time, Hascall arrives only hours later, but Buckner will be able to cross the bridge there safely.

Despite Forrest’s interception of Union supply wagons, no real harm is done to the Union, with massive supplies having been built up close to Wartrace and Tullahoma.

Withers advances on the previously defeated Palmer, but Palmer was waiting for him and springs an attack on Withers before he can gather his strength properly.

Wartrace becomes central in Union advance

Tennessee Campaign, 1863
News from the Front, August 15th - August 24th

August 15th

Withers advances to PelhamForrest escapes from the clutches of Baird's division just when the frustrated McCook thought he had him at last.

Meanwhile Bragg concentrates on General Polk, giving him the aid of several gifted staff officers, and to increase efficiency further temporarily transfers command of Cheatham's Division to Buckner.

August 16th

Forrest retires southwest-wards out of Baird's reach. At Buckner's urging, Cheatham fortifies his position at Hillsboro.

August 17th

Baird pursues Forrest Withers follows Cheatham's suit and fortifies Pelham. Cheatham advances to Tracy City

August 18th

Withers scouts out Palmer's Division in front of him, to discover it is a strong force.

August 19th

A huge Union supply effort takes place, with Davis and Sheridan creating supply depots and Johnson's Division being brought back into supply. Brannan's Division advances at the Confederates, at the behest of Thomas. Some progress must be made.

August 20th

Mitchell scouts out Cleburne at Tullahoma to discover he has had an influx of troops from Stewart. With Mitchell so close to the advance base of operations, supply is becoming a more difficult matter for the Confederates, with Forrest and Wharton out of supply.
Buckner is finding coordinating divisions at both ends of the theatre difficult, and has a bout of indecision.

August 21st

Cleburne scouts out Mitchell's Division nearby and discovers it to be cavalry only. The threat to Tullahoma was an empty one. Nonetheless (but maybe thinking of advancing) Stewart moves westwards into Tullahoma itself.

Rosecrans sees an opportunity, with McCook's staff working exceptionally, he passes temporary control of Negley and places railway stock at his service. Garrisoning Wartrace with an unattached Brigade he creates a forward base of operations at that railway town.

August 22nd

Davis' Division moves south along the railway towards Manchester. Palmer's Division advances into Pelham and builds up his strength for an assault on Wither's lines there.

August 24th

Sheridan advances into Wartrace, protecting the new base of operations. Martin's Division moves to Estill Spring, ready to plug the lines if necessary.
Palmer's attack on Withers is delayed but goes ahead against strong opposition.

Sides jockey for position near Tullahoma

Tennessee Campaign, 1863
News from the Front July 25th - August 1st

July 25th

Wither's attack across the forces the Union to fall back from Beech Grove. The Confederates use the victory as an opportunity to resupply themselves; General Hardee bringing his Corp back into supply with General Forrest setting up a supply depot in Shelbyville.
Pegram and Preston continue their long journey southwest from Knoxville to Chattanooga.

July 26th

Buoyed up by the victory, the Confederates are as confident as ever. The Union conversely are unused to defeat so far, and both Thomas' and McCook's entire Corps are low on supplies.

July 27th

Pegram and Preston continue their journey to Chattanooga, reaching Cleveland

July 28th

Polk's Corps strives to get back into supply utilizing the supply depot at Shelbyville.Palmer's Division (2nd of Crittenden's XXI Corps) resupply itself despite raiding from cavalry at McMinnsville.

July 29th

In an action that draws cries of derision from colleagues and thepress, Sheridan fortifies his position at Wartrace. Mustering up all his forces for the attack which failed to materialise a week before, Palmer attacked McMinnville to find that the garrison (Martin's Cavalry Division) has faded away to reform back at Polk's HQ.

Stewart sets up a new supply depot at Ethel Springs, and as Cheatham withdraws his Division towards Pelham. A new Confederate defensive position around Tullahoma and on The Barrens begins to suggest itself.

July 30th

Johnson's Division (2nd of McCook's XX Corps) advances up the railway toward Tullahoma, perhaps in an attempt to cut off Confederate forces.

July 31st

Withers withdraws towards Hillsboro, escaping the pocket threatening to be created by Union flankers. Preston moves towards Rossville, now within close distance of Chattanooga.

August 1st

Brannan's Division (3rd of Thomas' XIV Corps) sets up a supply depot on the Highland Ridge, a major Union re-supply effort will be required before they can again threaten the Confederate lines.

News from the Front August 2nd - August 14th

August 2nd

Cleburne fortifies Tullahoma: this position will not be turned! Forrest meanwhile on a daring raid behind enemy lines rides into Bell Buckle.This feat achieves easy fame in the newspapers, and Confederate confidence is sky-high. Forrest's interdiction attempts are only partially successful, forcing Johnson's Division to stop, but nearby Divisions of Rousseau and Davis regain their supply lines.

August 3rd

Bragg takes a hand in Confederate affairs, spurred on by Davis backin Richmond, his interference slows down the decision-making process somewhat.However, he does manage to get considerable rolling-stock in place for Polk's Corps, which would allow a quick movement from his exposed position near Manchester southwards towards Tullahoma. To stiffen their strong position north of the Elk River, Bragg has organised a huge supply effort, making Tullahoma a base of operations in advance of Chattanooga. Cleburne's Division benefits also replacing troops and guns lost at Wartrace.

Negley's Division (2nd of Thomas' XIV Corps) sets up a supply depot, surely this is enough to re-supply and advance?

August 4th

Cheatham reaches Pelham

August 5th

Forrest continues his raid behind enemy lines, setting up a supply depot in between the Highland Ridge and Murfreesboro. Given the danger that Forrest could pose to the Union base of operations, Morgan's Division (2nd of Granger's Reserve Corps) scouts out Forrest's Division, finding it to be cavalry only, with no great staying power.

The great Union re-supply effort continues, with Rousseau's Division (1st of Thomas' XIV Corps) sets up a new supply depot, and Negley and Brannan's Division's get back into supply.

August 7th

Meanwhile towards McMinnville Wood's and Turchin's Divisions (1st of Crittenden's XXI Corps and 2nd of the Cavalry Corps) move together and merge. Johnson's Division, on the railway and despite Forrest's raiding is able to set up a supply depot

August 8th

Rousseau's Division fortifies Beech Grove, the supply lines must be kept secure!

August 9th

Morgan's Division brings itself back into supply. Van Cleve`s Division is reformed out of the consolidated divisions under Palmer at McMinnville. Sheridan's and Negley's Divisions are brought into supply by the exhaustion of the supply depot previously set up by Rousseau. Is the Union war machine ready to move at last?

August 10th

Mitchell's Division advances up to the gates of Tullahoma. Palmer's Division advances swiftly down the railway from McMinnville towards Manchester.

August 11th

Baird's Division (1st of Granger's Reserve Corps) advances past Murfressboro and towards Forrest's Division, eager to destroy this threat to the Union's supply lines.
Meanwhile to the south, Preston marches into Chattanooga, while Pegram stations his command at Rossville just to the south-east.

August 13th

Forrest scouts Morgan's Division (2nd of Granger's Reserve Corps) finding it to be of average size, certainly adequate to garrisoning Murfreesboro.Wither's Division moves into Hillsboro.

August 14th

Morgan's Division moves into Tullahoma. Baird's Division advances into contact with Forrest and attempts to bring him to battle, but Forrest retires. Again Baird forms line to squash Forrest, but the man who escaped with his command out of Fort Donelson refuses to play by the Union rules and evades contact.

Rousseau advances against Withers at Beach Grove

Tennessee Campaign, 1863
News from the Front - July 15th - July 24th

July 15th

Cleburne's Division is forced out of Wartrace, but he is able to break contact with Sheridan after inflicting heavy casualties on the Union force. Baird's Cavalry Division continues his strike southeast towards Tullahoma increasing the distance between them and Forrest in Shelbyville. After several hard battles, almost all of the Confederate forces lack the supplies to hold on, and even moving back out of their advance positions will be difficult.

July 16th

Cleburne and Stewart begin their painful withdrawal to a line on the Duck River.Roussau's Division, XIV Corps clash with the rear-guard of Withers' Division discovering that Withers is strong despite his supply predicament.

July 17th

Meanwhile, Pegram and Preston continue their journey southwest fromKnoxville to Chattanooga.

July 18th

With the continued retreat of Hardee's Corps, Polk has no choice but to straighten the line and withdraw Withers and Cheatham's Divisions also.

July 19th

Crittenden advances towards McMinnville merging Palmer's and VanCleve's Divisions as he slogs through the mud. A planned scouting attempt fails due to lack of clear orders, General Minty defends his Cavalry Division's performance, they have been left to fend for themselves at the rear of the Union column.

July 20th

Jackson, acting cautiously but following Buckner's lead, fortifies Loudon.

July 21st

Thomas directs Rousseau to form a supply depot at Bradyville. With this clear signal of intent, both Hardee and Polk are caught in a quandary; but their indecision in soon broken by Union advances.

July 22nd

Palmer's reinforced 2nd Division, XXI Corps advances into McMinnville to bring Martin's Division, Polk's Corps to battle and force them out of the vital rail spur. Martin runs rings around the advancing Union force and retires in good order, but still in control of the town.

July 23rd

Crittenden seems paralysed by the failure of his subordinates and looks for explanations, not action! This is compounded by the failure of his supply train to keep up with his advance and Palmer is out of supply.

July 24th

Rousseau advances into Beach Grove and eager to bring Withers to battle finds himself a tougher battle than expected

Sheridan pursues Cleburne to Wartrace

Tennessee Campaign, 1863
News from the Front - July 8th - July 14th

July 8th

Cleburne's Division, defeated at Bell Buckle and thrown out of theirfieldworks, retreats off the Highland Rim and towards Wartrace,staying in touch with Stewart's Division to their left. Meanwhile, atLoudon, Brigades under Jackson and Pegram start moving southwards.Mitchell's Cavalry Division continues to move south, past the westernoutskirts of Shelbyville.

July 9th

The need to replenish supplies after the recent battles depletes theConfederate supply depot at Wartrace. Mitchell moves southwest ofShelbyville threatening communications back to Tullahoma.As both sides take stock of their position, the loss of the passesthrough the Highland Rim have obviously dented the Confederates,though some advantage is still to be had.

July 10th

The desire of the Confederates to hold the advance line now thatthey've been thrown off the Highland Rim seems unwavering, as theybring in even more supplies to Wartrace by rail.Sheridan's Division begins following up on its success at Bell Buckleand moves southwards. It stays on Cleburne's scent as that woundeddivision retreats back to Wartrace.

July 11th

Van Cleve's 3rd Division of Crittenden's Corps sends scouts out toMcMinnville to discover that it's garrisoned by Morgan's CavalryDivision. It's advance has so far been slow, muddy tracks masqueringas roads on the maps are blamed.Cleburne's and Stewart's Divisions meet at Wartrace and some movementof troops between the two divisions is detected.

July 12th

Union forces at Liberty Gap bring down supplies from Murfressboro, inanticpation of further advances in the area. Jackson and Pegramcontinue down the railway towards Chattanooga.Meanwhile Stewart's Division begins to retreat southwards fromWartrace.

July 13th

Sheridan is obvious in his attempts to bring Cleburne to battle buthe cannot get his brigades moving.

July 14th

Sheridan finally brings Cleburne to battle at Wartrace.

Sheridan assaults Cleburne at Bell Buckle

Tennessee Campaign, 1863
News from the Front - July 2nd to July 7th

July 2nd

Stewart's Division, defeated at Liberty Gap, retreats back up the Highland Rim, to connect with Cleburne's right flank.

July 3rd

McCook merges the 3rd Division, XX Corps under Sheridan with the 1st Division, Reserve Corps under Baird. Taking advice from McCook,Thomas sends the 3rd Division, XIV Corps rearwards to secure the supply lines out of Murfressboro.

July 4th

Having straightened their lines, and taken stock of their opposition,the Confederates are still confident of victory, without the heady delight of 30th June. The extended combat, and the even pressure from Rosecrans uses up most of the supplies moved in at great expense toWartrace.
Scouting out the Confederate forces at Shelbyville, McCook discovers the garrison to be a scratch division of cavalry under Forrest.

July 5th

More skirmishing along the front lines quickly uses up the Confederates supplies located at Shelbyville also, although Wharton's division at Wartrace is now clamouring for resupply andreinforcements.
1st Division of the XIV under Rousseau advances to Highland Rim to connect with Negley's left flank. Meanwhile to the east, Crittenden gets his divisions moving over the muddy roads towards McMinnville, with 1st and 2nd Divisions under Wood and Palmer taking the lead.

July 6th

In response to this general advance, Cheatham's Division counters to shore up the eastern part of the Highland Rim

July 7th

Sheridan's 3rd Division of XX Corps advances to Bell Buckle, advancing into contact with Cleburne's Division, which has been digging in for a week. Despite second thoughts from McCook, Sheridan keeps his nerve and makes an all-out attack on Cleburne's lines.

Negley Attempts to Force Liberty Gap

Tennessee Campaign, 1863
News from the Front: June 24th to July 1st

June 24th
The Army of the Cumberland under Major-General William Starke Rosecrans advances out of Murfreesboro. Standing between them and the Confederate heartland of Atlanta is General Braxton Bragg's Army ofTennessee. It is arrayed on and behind Highland Ridge, just north of Tullahoma.
Major-General George Henry Thomas' XIV Corps, in the centre of the Union advance consolidates his divisions into two large divisions, under Brigadier-Generals Rousseau and Negley.
Arrayed along the Highland Ridge and towards McMinnville, General Leonidas Polk's Corps sets up a supply depot in Wartrace.

June 25th
Meanwhile Major-General Simon Bolivar Buckner, in command of the Department of East Tennessee fortifies Knoxville. Whenever Burnside's Army of the Ohio moves against him, he intends to be ready.
Arrayed near the western edge of the Highland Ridge, Lieutenant General William J. Hardee's Corps sets up a supply depot in Shelbyville.

June 26th
Thomas's XIV Corps continues its advance towards the advance guard of Hardee's Corps: Stewart's Division

June 27th
Stewart, sensing an opportunity advances off its position on the ridge and hits Reynold's Division hard. The 4th Division of XIV Corps is shown to be only a regiment, with a company of Cavalry and is swept aside.It has done its job though and now Thomas is sure of Stewart'sstrength.

June 28th
Wanting to assure himself of his enemy's strength Hardee scouts out the 2nd Division of XIV Corps and discovers it to contain most units from both Negley's 2nd and Reynold's 4th Divisions.

June 29th
Withers' Division at Beech Grove and Cleburne's Division at Bell Buckle are scouted out by Mitchell's southward-bound Cavalry Division, in advance of Major-General Alexander D. McCook's XX Corps.
Given the obvious strength against him and the failure of nearby Confederate Divisions to back him up, Stewart withdraws back to his original position on the Ridge, near Liberty Gap.
In the vicinity of Knoxville, Buckner has moved his Brigades underJackson and Preston and his Cavalry Division under Pegram southwards to Loudon. Is this a move to reinforce the Tullahoma front?

June 30th
Major-General Thomas Crittenden's XXI Corps finally begins to move, sidling towards McMinnville.
Buckner sets up a supply depot in Knoxville, surely his previous move looks now more like the simple securing of a fallback position south of Knoxville?
With no retreat from the strong defensive line north of Tullahoma, Southern morale flies high. Is Davis' faith in Bragg justified?
The 3rd Division of XIV Corps under Brannan is short of supplies, even though it's so close to the Union-controlled railheads at Murfressboro. Can Rosecrans manage this army?
Cleburne, sensing a big Union push coming, fortifies Bell Buckle.

July 1st
Negley's command advances up Liberty Gap and Stewart's daring flank attack on him is undone by Negley's brave attack. Everything should favour Stewart but when battle is joined, his centre and right haven't made it from their positions further up the ridge and only his artillery batteries hold the centre!