The Battle of Egypt Station (December 28, 1864) was an engagement in

Mississippi Mississippi () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the north by Tennessee; to the east by Alabama; to the south by the Gulf of Mexico; to the southwest by Louisiana; and to the northwest by Arkansas. Miss ...

that took place during a successful Union cavalry raid during the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...

. A 3,500-man Union cavalry division under

Brigadier General Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...

Benjamin Grierson Benjamin Henry Grierson (July 8, 1826 – August 31, 1911) was a music teacher, then a career officer in the United States Army. He was a cavalry general in the volunteer Union Army during the Civil War and later led troops in the American O ...

defeated Confederate troops led by

Franklin Gardner Franklin Kitchell GardnerMiddle name Kitchell from his father, miswritten Franklin K. Gardner on his gravestone. (January 29, 1823 – April 29, 1873) was a Confederate major general in the American Civil War, noted for his service at the Siege of ...

and

Samuel J. Gholson Samuel Jameson Gholson (May 19, 1808 – October 16, 1883) was a United States representative from Mississippi, a United States federal judge, United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississip ...

. Grierson's raiding cavalry left

Memphis, Tennessee Memphis is a city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the seat of Shelby County in the southwest part of the state; it is situated along the Mississippi River. With a population of 633,104 at the 2020 U.S. census, Memphis is the second-mos ...

on 21 December and first demolished a Confederate supply depot at

Verona Verona ( , ; vec, Verona or ) is a city on the Adige River in Veneto, Northern Italy, Italy, with 258,031 inhabitants. It is one of the seven provincial capitals of the region. It is the largest city Comune, municipality in the region and the ...

. Moving south while wrecking bridges and track along the

Mobile and Ohio Railroad The Mobile and Ohio Railroad was a railroad in the Southern U.S. The M&O was chartered in January and February 1848 by the states of Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee. It was planned to span the distance between the seaport of Mobile ...

, the Union raiders encountered the Confederate defenders at

Egypt Station ''Egypt Station'' is the 17th solo studio album by English singer-songwriter Paul McCartney, released on 7 September 2018 through Capitol Records. ''Egypt Station'' was produced by Greg Kurstin and co-produced by McCartney, with the exception ...

. After their victory, Grierson's cavalry headed southwest to

Vicksburg Vicksburg most commonly refers to: * Vicksburg, Mississippi, a city in western Mississippi, United States * The Vicksburg Campaign, an American Civil War campaign * The Siege of Vicksburg, an American Civil War battle Vicksburg is also the name of ...

which it reached on January 5, 1865. The raiders destroyed a large amount of Confederate supplies and also damaged the Mississippi Central Railroad. Some of the men captured by Grierson's raiders proved to be former Union soldiers who volunteered to fight for the Confederacy rather than languish in prison camps. When John Bell Hood's army retreated into northern Mississippi after the

Battle of Nashville The Battle of Nashville was a two-day battle in the Franklin-Nashville Campaign that represented the end of large-scale fighting west of the coastal states in the American Civil War. It was fought at Nashville, Tennessee, on December 15–16, 1 ...

, it was unable to obtain supplies because Grierson's raiders had damaged the railroad so badly.

Background

The Battle of Nashville ended on December 16, 1864 with Hood's Confederate Army of Tennessee fleeing from the battlefield after being routed by the Union army under

George Henry Thomas George Henry Thomas (July 31, 1816March 28, 1870) was an American general in the Union Army during the American Civil War and one of the principal commanders in the Western Theater. Thomas served in the Mexican–American War and later chose ...

. The Federal troops inflicted losses of about 2,300 killed and wounded and 4,462 captured on their opponents, while seizing 53 artillery pieces. At

Franklin Franklin may refer to: People * Franklin (given name) * Franklin (surname) * Franklin (class), a member of a historical English social class Places Australia * Franklin, Tasmania, a township * Division of Franklin, federal electoral d ...

on December 17, the retreating Confederates managed to destroy the bridges, but

James H. Wilson James Harrison Wilson (September 2, 1837 – February 23, 1925) was a United States Army topographic engineer and a Union Army Major General in the American Civil War. He served as an aide to Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan during the Maryland Camp ...

's Union cavalrymen forded the

Harpeth River The Harpeth River, long,U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map accessed June 8, 2011 is one of the major streams of north-central Middle Tennessee, United States, and one of the major ...

to capture 2,000 enemy soldiers too badly wounded to be moved. Later that day, Wilson's troopers overran

Douglas's Texas Battery Douglas's Texas Battery (also known as the Good-Douglas Texas Battery or Dallas Light Artillery Battery) was an artillery battery that served in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. In June 1861, the unit was formed by combin ...

, capturing its three guns. Yet the Confederate rearguard was able to fend off Wilson's pursuit. Meanwhile, a blunder by Thomas sent the pontoon train by the wrong road so that the Federal pursuit was delayed. After bitter rearguard actions conducted by

Nathan Bedford Forrest Nathan Bedford Forrest (July 13, 1821October 29, 1877) was a prominent Confederate Army general during the American Civil War and the first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan from 1867 to 1869. Before the war, Forrest amassed substantial wealt ...

, the survivors of Hood's army crossed the

Tennessee River The Tennessee River is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. It is approximately long and is located in the southeastern United States in the Tennessee Valley. The river was once popularly known as the Cherokee River, among other names, ...

on December 28 and passed out of the reach of Thomas and Wilson.

Verona

The commander of the Military Division of West Mississippi,

Major General Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of a ...

Napoleon J.T. Dana Napoleon Jackson Tecumseh Dana (April 15, 1822 – July 15, 1905) was a career United States Army, U.S. Army officer who fought with distinction during the Mexican–American War and served as a General officer, general in the Union Army during th ...

ordered Grierson and 3,300 cavalry to leave Memphis and attempt to break the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. Grierson ordered his 1st Brigade under Colonel

Joseph Kargé Joseph Kargé (July 4, 1823 in Poznan, Grand Duchy of Posen, Kingdom of Prussia – December 27, 1892 in New York City) was a military officer and educator. He was involved in the unsuccessful 1848 revolutions in Poland and was sentenced to de ...

to move northeast on December 19 from Memphis toward Bolivar, Tennessee in a feint, then move south and join the main column near Ripley, Mississippi. Because the 1st Brigade was unable to cross a flooded river, it returned to Memphis without accomplishing this mission. Grierson's expedition left Memphis on December 21, 1864 and headed east along the Memphis and Charleston Railroad in the direction of Corinth, Mississippi. Grierson reported having 3,500 men, including 11 cavalry regiments organized into three brigades led by Colonels Kargé,

Edward Francis Winslow Edward Francis Winslow (September 28, 1837 – October 22, 1914) was an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War and later railroad executive. Biography Early life Winslow was born September 28, 1837 in Augusta, Maine. In 1856 ...

, and Embury D. Osband. In addition, there was a 40-man company acting as escort, 50 African-Americans acting as pioneers, and 20 days' rations carried by pack mules. Grierson reported having no artillery and no wagons. However, historian

Frederick H. Dyer Frederick Henry Dyer (July 2, 1849 – September 21, 1917) served as a drummer boy in the Union Army during the American Civil War. After the war, he wrote ''A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion'' – a complete record of every regiment ...

stated that Battery "K", 2nd Illinois Light Artillery Regiment accompanied the raid and fought at Egypt Station. Benjamin H Grierson

When the Union column reached a point west of

Moscow, Tennessee Moscow ( ) is a city in Fayette County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 556 at the 2010 census, up from 422 at the 2000 census. The town was named after a Cherokee Chief osgo meaning "Town between 2 rivers." North Fork and Wolf Rive ...

, it veered to the southeast and passed through

Lamar, Mississippi Lamar is a census-designated place and unincorporated community in Benton County, Mississippi, United States. It is located along Mississippi Highway 7 in western Benton County. Lamar has a post office with the ZIP code 38642. The nearly abandoned ...

before arriving at Ripley. The 10th Missouri Cavalry Regiment left the column and cut the telegraph lines at

LaGrange Joseph-Louis Lagrange (born Giuseppe Luigi LagrangiaGrand Junction, Tennessee and rejoined Grierson's division before it reached Ripley. From Ripley, a detachment from the 2nd New Jersey Cavalry Regiment marched to Booneville and the 4th Illinois Cavalry Regiment moved to Guntown to damage the Mobile and Ohio Railroad at those places. They destroyed four bridges, several miles of track, and military supplies before rejoining the main column. It was learned that a Confederate supply depot existed at Verona. Since civilians encountered had expressed complete surprise at the Union raiders' presence, Grierson detached Kargé's brigade and authorized that officer to attack Verona on the night of December 25. Federal troopers of the

7th Indiana Cavalry Regiment The 7th Regiment Indiana Cavalry was a cavalry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Service The 7th Indiana Cavalry was organized at Indianapolis, Indiana, beginning February 22, 1863, and mustered on October 1, 1 ...

scattered the Confederate garrison and destroyed 200 wagons captured at the Battle of Brices Cross Roads and loaded with stores for Hood's army, eight warehouses filled with military stores, 450 English carbines, 500 Austrian rifles, and a train of 20 cars. Kargé then withdrew his brigade to the sound of exploding shells from the burning warehouses. At the same time, Grierson sent the 11th Illinois Cavalry Regiment to wreck the bridge at Old Town Creek and tear up track between there and Tupelo.

Egypt Station

On December 26–27, Grierson's division moved south along the Mobile and Ohio, destroying track and culverts. An enemy force was reported at Okolona, but it withdrew to the south as the Union column approached. At Okolona, the raiders tapped the telegraph line and discovered that Confederate reinforcements were being sent from

Mobile, Alabama Mobile ( , ) is a city and the county seat of Mobile County, Alabama, United States. The population within the city limits was 187,041 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, down from 195,111 at the 2010 United States census, 2010 cens ...

and other points along the railroad. Getting information from deserters that the reinforcements would not arrive until 11:00 am, Grierson determined to attack the Confederate force at Egypt Station on the morning of December 28. Grierson estimated the Confederate force at 1,200–2,000 men and four train-mounted guns. Kargé's brigade marched at 7:00 am that morning, brushed aside the Confederate cavalry, and encountered a defense line about north of Egypt Station. Samuel J

At 8:15 am, Kargé ordered the 2nd New Jersey Cavalry to drive back the Confederate skirmish line which was done. He then deployed the 2nd New Jersey on the left and the 7th Indiana and 4th Missouri Cavalry on the right. The Unionist 1st Mississippi Mounted Rifles guarded the pack train. Despite firm resistance, the Confederate line was pressed back. After shelling the Union cavalrymen, the train with its four-gun battery began to withdraw. Kargé ordered the 7th Indiana and 4th Missouri to seize the train. Grierson arrived on the field and led these two regiments after the train. By this time, the defenders had fallen back to a wooden stockade on the east side of the railroad. Two mounted companies charged the stockade on the left while three dismounted companies rushed the right side. The stockade's defenders then surrendered, altogether about 500 men including a

lieutenant colonel Lieutenant colonel ( , ) is a rank of commissioned officers in the armies, most marine forces and some air forces of the world, above a major and below a colonel. Several police forces in the United States use the rank of lieutenant colone ...

and 15 officers. The 7th Indiana captured an additional 47 men including a lieutenant colonel. During the action, two trains of reinforcements under Major General

appeared from the south, but these were stopped and prevented from joining the battle. From Osband's brigade, the 4th Illinois supported the action on the right while the 11th Illinois and

3rd United States Colored Cavalry Regiment The 3rd United States Colored Cavalry was a regiment in the United States Army organized as one of the units of the United States Colored Troops during the American Civil War. The regiment was originally formed in October 1863 at Vicksburg, Missis ...

s helped in the attack on the stockade. In the battle, the 2nd New Jersey lost three officers killed and two wounded, and 16 enlisted men killed and 69 wounded. The 7th Indiana lost two killed and 11 wounded while the 4th Missouri lost one officer wounded and captured and one enlisted man wounded. The 4th Illinois lost two enlisted men wounded while the 11th Illinois lost one enlisted man killed and two officers and 13 men wounded. One officer and 39 men from the 2nd New Jersey were left at Egypt Station under the care of the regiment's assistant surgeon because they were too badly hurt to be moved. Nine enlisted men from the 11th Illinois in the same condition were also left behind. At the time, it was believed that Confederate Brigadier General

was mortally wounded, but he lived until 1883, though he lost his left arm. After the action, Grierson ordered his column to move west to

Houston Houston (; ) is the most populous city in Texas, the most populous city in the Southern United States, the fourth-most populous city in the United States, and the sixth-most populous city in North America, with a population of 2,304,580 in ...

. The

2nd Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment The 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment was a volunteer cavalry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Service The 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry was organized at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, between December 30, 1861, and March 10, 186 ...

was assigned to guard the over 500 captured Confederates.

Franklin

From Houston, Grierson ordered feints north toward Pontotoc and southeast toward West Point. However, the main Union column marched southwest through Bellefontaine to

Winona Winona, Wynona or Wynonna may refer to: Places Canada * Winona, Ontario United States * Winona, Arizona * Winona, Indiana * Winona Lake, Indiana * Winona, Kansas * Winona, Michigan * Winona County, Minnesota ** Winona, Minnesota, the seat of Wi ...

on the Mississippi Central Railroad. At Winona, the depot, two locomotives, and Confederate supplies were destroyed. From Winona, a detachment from the

4th Iowa Cavalry Regiment The 4th Iowa Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Service The 4th Iowa Cavalry was organized at Camp Harlan in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, beginning in September 1861, and mustered in for ...

moved to Bankston where it destroyed the cloth and shoe factories making equipment for Confederate soldiers. A detachment of 300 horsemen from Winslow's brigade under Colonel

John W. Noble John Winthrop Noble (born Winfield Fernley Kutz; June 24, 1880 – September 10, 1946) was an American film director and screenwriter during the silent era. Career John Winthrop Noble was the professional name of Winfield Fernley Kutz (someti ...

of the 3rd Iowa Cavalry Regiment went north from Winona toward

Grenada Grenada ( ; Grenadian Creole French: ) is an island country in the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea at the southern end of the Grenadines island chain. Grenada consists of the island of Grenada itself, two smaller islands, Carriacou and Pe ...

, wrecking the railroad and Confederate facilities. Noble's force rejoined the main column at Benton. Grierson sent Osband's brigade to the south with the mission of tearing up additional railroad track. The remainder of Grierson's column moved southwest to Lexington and then Benton. On January 1, 1865, Osband's brigade marched south through Vaiden and West Station, destroying an estimated of track, plus bridges, culverts, stations, and water tanks. The following day, a Confederate force was reported assembling at Goodman so Osburn moved his brigade southwest toward

Ebenezer Ebenezer may refer to: Bible * Eben-Ezer, a place mentioned in the Books of Samuel People * Ebenezer (given name), a male given name Places Australia * Ebenezer, New South Wales * Ebenezer, Queensland, a locality in the City of Ipswich * Ebeneze ...

. Near

, the 3rd U.S. Colored Cavalry ran into a Confederate force led by Brigadier General

William Wirt Adams William Wirt Adams (1819–1888) was a banker, planter, state legislator, and a Brigadier General in the Confederate States Army. Early life Adams was born in Frankfort, Kentucky, to Anna Weisiger Adams and Judge George Adams (a personal friend ...

. The 11th Illinois took position on the right flank while the 4th Illinois supported the 3rd U.S. Colored. After a struggle lasting one hour and a half, both sides disengaged. Osband lost one officer killed and one wounded, and three enlisted men killed, seven wounded, and two missing. Two enlisted men were too severely wounded to be moved and were left at Franklin. Osband's brigade moved through Ebenezer and joined Grierson's main column at Benton at night on January 2. Adams reported 22 casualties: two officers and five enlisted men killed, and three officers and 12 men wounded.

Vicksburg

Grierson's division rode into Vicksburg on January 5, 1865. Grierson claimed to have destroyed four running locomotives, 10 locomotives under repair, 95 railroad cars, 300 army wagons, two caissons, of bridges and trestles, of railroad track, of telegraph poles and wire, 30 warehouses of military stores, seven depots, 500 bales of cotton, 700 hogs, and various other Confederate property. The Union column was accompanied by 1,000 escaped slaves and brought in an estimated 600 Confederate prisoners and 800 horses and mules. Grierson noted that at least 100 prisoners were Union soldiers who had been confined at Southern prison camps and recruited into the Confederate army; he recommended leniency. Grierson reported the following casualties: four officers and 23 enlisted men killed, four officers and 89 men wounded, and seven men missing. Hood's defeated soldiers reached Corinth, Mississippi, hoping to be issued new clothing, but there was none there. Grierson's cavalry had wrecked large sections of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. Unable to resupply his troops at Corinth, Hood was compelled to order a retreat to Tupelo on January 3. Even when the last unit trudged into camp on January 12, there was a shortage of food and equipment. Unable to feed his soldiers from his inadequate supplies, Hood resorted to a system of furloughs from which many of the men never returned to the ranks.

Union order of battle

Notes

References

* * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Egypt Station, Battle of Battles of the Western Theater of the American Civil War Union victories of the American Civil War Battles of the American Civil War in Mississippi 1864 in Mississippi 1864 in the American Civil War Cavalry raids of the American Civil War