Description: |
Conflict near Columbia, during Hood’s 1864 Tennessee invasion, 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 Forrest’s Rebel cavalry. The Federals built two lines of earthworks south of the town while
skirmishing with enemy cavalry on November 24 and 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 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. |