Battle Name: |
Vaught’s Hill |
Other Names: |
Milton |
State: |
Tennessee |
Location: |
Rutherford County |
Campaign: |
Middle Tennessee Operations (1863) |
Dates: |
March 20, 1863 |
Principal Commanders: |
Col. Albert S. Hall [US]; Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan [CS] |
Forces Engaged: |
2nd Brigade, 5th Division, XIV Army Corps (a combined force of infantry, artillery, and cavalry
comprising detachments from six units; approx. 1,300) [US]; Morgan’s Cavalry Division (approx. 3,500) [CS] |
Estimated Casualties: |
435 total (US 62; CS 373) |
Description: |
During the inactivity following the Battle of Stones River, a Union brigade-sized reconnaissance
force, under Col. Albert S. Hall, left Murfreesboro on March 18. Circling to the northeast, Hall encountered
Confederate Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan’s cavalry command which caused him to fall back to a position east of
Milton. Pursuing Hall, Morgan’s men caught up with him on the morning of the 20th, at Vaught’s Hill.
Dismounted, Morgan struck at both Union flanks, even to the point of encircling Hall’s hilltop position. Hall
conducted a perimeter defense and withstood all Confederate attacks, which lasted till after 2:00 pm. Morgan
continued to bombard the Yankees until 4:30 pm, when he broke off the engagement, after learning that Union
reinforcements were en route from Murfreesboro. Union forces continued to strengthen their position in Middle
Tennessee. |
Results: |
Union victory |