As Union troops retreated from the south on December 31, they established a last line of defense along the railroad and turnpike. The Confederates pursued them, but when the Southerners emerged from the woods and entered the cotton field they were greeted by "three lines of battle with Napolean guns (12-pounder smoothbore artillery pieces) between the regiments." A Tennessean recalled that "the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, running parallel to our lines, was plainly visible ... while in front of it a long line of blue coats was stretched." The Confederate attacks were stopped due to the lack of artillery support. The fighting died down after sunset and both sides dug in for the night. Although units of Rosecrans' army had been pushed back three miles, the Confederates had failed to capture its lifeline, the Nashville Pike. When attacking Confederates saw the new Union battle-line drawn along the Nashville Pike and into the Round Forest, they fell back into the cedars. As long as the Federals clung to the Round Forest, the Confederates could not gain victory.

Standing in the Cotton Field looking toward the Nashville Pike
View: Looking Toward the Woods That The Confederates Came From.

Closer View Of The Split Rail Fence and Tree Line From Which The Confederates Came. Go Back A Page