Battle of Columbia
Introduction
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Images
Historical Marker
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
When Hood was unable to keep control of Atlanta and ended up retreating and leaving it to Sherman, he decided to attempt to force Sherman to chase him by disrupting Union supply lines. While Sherman fell for Hood’s game at first, he then decided to conduct his March to the Sea instead. In his place, Sherman left the Army of the Cumberland to Major General George H. Thomas in hopes that he could defend Tennessee and best Hood. In addition, Sherman left the XIII Corps from the Army of the Ohio under the command of Major General John Schofield.
On November 24-29, 1864, the Union and Confederacy fought a series of battles around Columbia, Tennessee. The battles were a result of Confederate General John Hood’s invasion of Tennessee in 1864. Using skirmishes near Columbia, Hood attempted to cut off Union communications with Nashville by crossing the Duck River upstream. Withdrawing from Pulaski, Union Major General Johnathan Schofield led his men to Columbia where he had his men build two trenches amidst skirmishes with rebel cavalry under Forrest. Attempting to distract Schofield, Hood made shows along Schofield’s front but did not attack.
However, Schofield correctly interpreted what Hood’s intentions were and moved to intercept him. Due to bad weather though, Schofield was unable to cross the north bank and intercept Hood. As a result, Columbia was left in Confederate hands. While Schofield had slowed Hood’s invasion, he had failed to stop it. Therefore, the Battle of Columbia was a victory for Confederate forces.