Blue Springs Tennessee


American Civil War
October 10, 1863

Union Major General Ambrose E. Burnside, commander of the Department of the Ohio, undertook an expedition into East Tennessee to clear the roads and passes to Virginia, and, if possible, secure the saltworks beyond Abingdon. In October, Confederate Brig. General John S. Williams, with his cavalry force, set out to disrupt Union communications and logistics. He wished to take Bull's Gap on the East Tennessee & Virginia Railroad.

On October 3, while advancing on Bull's Gap, he fought with Brig. General Samuel P. Carter's Union Cavalry Division, XXIII Army Corps, at Blue Springs, about nine miles from Bull's Gap, on the railroad. Carter, not knowing how many of the enemy he faced, withdrew. Carter and Williams skirmished for the next few days.

On October 10, Carter approached Blue Springs in force. Williams had received some reinforcements. The battle began about 10:00 am with Union cavalry engaging the Confederates until afternoon while another mounted force attempted to place itself in a position to cut off a Rebel retreat. Captain Orlando M. Poe, the Chief Engineer, performed a reconnaissance to identify the best location for making an infantry attack.

At 3:30 pm, Brig. General Edward Ferrero's 1st Division, IX Army Corps, moved up to attack, which he did at 5:00 pm. Ferrero's men broke into the Confederate line, causing heavy casualties, and advanced almost to the enemy's rear before being checked. After dark, the Confederates withdrew and the Federals took up the pursuit in the morning. Within days, Williams and his men had retired to Virginia.

Burnside had launched the East Tennessee Campaign to reduce or extinguish Confederate influence in the area; Blue Springs helped fulfill that mission.

Result(s): Union victory

Location: Greene County

Campaign: East Tennessee Campaign (1863)

Date(s): October 10, 1863

Principal Commanders: Major General Ambrose E. Burnside [US]; Brig. General John S. Williams [CS]

Forces Engaged: Department of the Ohio [US]; 1st Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, 4th Kentucky Cavalry Regiment, and some home guard troops and artillery [CS]

Estimated Casualties: 316 total (US 100; CS 216)

Burnside
Burnside
Ambrose Burnside, the Union general, was a major player on the Civil War stage from the first clash at Bull Run until the final summer of the war. He led a corps or army during most of this time and played important roles in various theaters of the war.

Kindle Available
Civil War Firearms

Standard Catalog of
Civil War Firearms




Civil War: Uniforms, US and Confederate Armies, c.1895
Civil War: Uniforms
US and Confederate Armies

48 in. x 31.5 in. $169.99
Buy at AllPosters.com
Framed

Civil War Confederate
Suede Grey Kepi Hat





Civil War Union
Suede Blue Kepi Hat
Tennessee State Battle Map
State Battle Maps
American Civil War Exhibits
Campaigns of the War
Civil War Summary
Documents of the Civil War
Confederate Commanders
Union Generals
Civil War Timeline
Women Civil War Soldiers
Ships and Naval Battles
Confederate Supplies

Cavalry Saber Sword
Cold Steel 1860 Cavalry Saber Sword
Metal Scabbard Authentic weight


Civil War Confederate Revolver






Women in the War
Civil War Cooking
Civil War Submarines
Kids Zone Causes of the War

 

Sources:
U.S. National Park Service
U.S. Library of Congress.


{ez_footer_ads}