Oct 21 1863: Battle of Cherokee Station

The Battle of Cherokee Station was a battle near the town of Cherokee Station Alabama on 21 October 1863.
The Battle of Cherokee Station was a battle of the American Civil War fought between Union Army and Confederate Army near the town of Cherokee Station Alabama on 21 October 1863.

General Sherman attempted to start rebuilding the Memphis and Charleston Railroad to give Union forces an easier time to arrive at Chattanooga from Mississippi. Sherman initiated his reconstruction at Corinth, Mississippi and began to push into northern Alabama.

On 20 October, the Union captured Barton’s Station and began their assault on Cherokee Station with a brief cavalry skirmish. XV Corps attacked Confederate forces near Cherokee Station and after an hour of trading musket fire, the Confederates retreated. First Division of XV Corps brought up several Parrott rifles and killed many of the retreating Confederates.

The Union continued its push with a decisive victory at Little Bear Creek on October 27 near Tuscumbia, forcing the Confederates to surrender Tuscumbia. The continued Confederate resistance, however, persuaded the Union to instead seek more northerly, safer routes to Chattanooga.