Grierson the Raid Hero and the Cavalry March South
A historical sketch recounts the rise of a modest music teacher to major general and his cavalry brigade as they ride through Mississippi toward Baton Rouge, detailing wartime hardships, officer anecdotes, and the turning tide of Confederate raids with lessons learned by 1865.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Col. Streight
Georgia
Grierson
Mississippi
Alabama
Rosecrans
Army of the Cumberland
Streight
Confederacy
Forrest
Streigut
Baton Rouge
Richmond
Libby
Hus
Griersons Mississippi Raid and Cavalry Leader Profile
Early 1869 narrative chronicles Col Benjamin Grierson later Maj Gen who led a mounted raid through Mississippi in 1863. It notes his Illinois roots, height of endurance, leadership from Paducah to New Albany, and clashes with Confederate forces under Gen Chalmers, citing his bold march to strike rail lines and disrupt supplies.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Grant
Vicksburg
Mississippi
Benjamin Henry Grierson
Tlinois
Pittsburg
Horace Greeley
Grierson
Benjamin Grierson
Jacksonville
Ills
Ion
John A. Logan
Illinois
Sherson
Proec
One Prentiss
United States
Magaeo
Phynois
Paducah
Ilinois
Ont
J. Ovson
Col. Grierson
Ie Mnajer
Memphis
West
Tennessee
Rerson
Tenth United States
Col. Loomis
Prince
Iowa
Hatch
Lagrange
Tenn
Ripley
Tallahatchie River
Tallahatchie
New Albany
Gen. Chalmers
Grierson's Raid Through Mississippi Ends in Baton Rouge
In April and May 1863, Grierson's raid tore across Mississippi and into Louisiana. Conflicts near Pontotoc and Newton halted, bridges and telegraph lines destroyed, trains burned, and more than 1,000 prisoners and 1,200 horses seized. The expedition covered 800 miles in sixteen days, leaving the Confederacy decimated and weakened.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Grierson
Pontotoc
Lagrange
Mississippi
Newton
Raleigh
Lake Station
Jackson
Ben Grierson
Leaf Viver
Forbes
Illinois
Enterprise
Miss
Col. Goodwin
Baton Rouge
Strea
Raid of Streight in Georgia and Forrest pursuit tale
The article recounts Col. Abel Streight's 1863 raid from Nashville into northern Georgia and Alabama, its disastrous outcome after Forrest and Roddey struck him, and the daring escape of Streight’s men. It highlights Garfield’s orders, the struggle for horses, and Emma Sanborn's noted aid guiding Forrest to a ford, ending with Streight's surrender near Rome, Georgia.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Col. Streight
Indiana
Indianapolis
Buell
Kentucky
Tennessee
Streight
Nashville
James A. Garfield
Rosecrans
Col Streight
Georgia
Chattanooga
Garfield
Illinois
Ohio
Eastport
Miss
Dodge
Grenville M. Dodge
Mississippi
Massachusetts
Connecticut
Iowa
Pea Ridge
Sherman
Sixteenth Army Corps
Congress
Tennessee River
Fort Henry
Corinth
Gen. Dodge
Alabama
Tuscum
Bia
Tuscumbia
Tenn
Coltoddey
N. B. Forrest
Forrest
Roddey
Col
P. D. Roddey
Ala
Day's Gap
Sand Mountain
W H. Forrest
Blountsville
Black Warrior
Black Creek
Coosa
Emma Sanborn
Gen
Gen. Forrest
Turkeytown
Straight Neck
Chatooga
Rome
Bby
Richmond
Cavalry’s Civil War Echoes From Aldie to Brandy Station
In reviewing eastern cavalry history, the article notes J. E. B. Stuart and Pleasonton led key 1863 fights, including Aldie and Brandy Station. It describes Stuart’s leadership, his social aides, and the river-crossing maneuvers that shaped Lee’s Pennsylvania invasion plans and the Shenandoah Valley campaigns.
Battle of Winchester Ends Milroy Stand in Shenandoah Valley
Confederate forces under Early trap Union General Milroy at Winchester Virginia after a rapid march from Culpeper. Milroy escapes with part of his command. about half the force captured or killed as eleven flags fall to Lee’s army. Road opened for the Confederate advance toward Culpeper.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lee
Shenandoah Valley
Milroy
Winchester
Brandy Station
Ewell
Culpepper
Elliott
Richmond
Shenandoal Valley
Brandy Station Cavalry Battle Ends In Conflicting Claims
The 1863 Brandy Station engagement near Beverly Ford pitted Stuart 10 000 strong against Pleasonton’s divisions. After hours of fighting at St James Church the Confederates claimed three guns and prisoners while Pleasonton asserts he crippled Confederate cavalry and halted Lee’s northern invasion. Union infantry support was minimal and Pleasonton ordered a retreat to the east side of the Rappahannock.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
J. E. B. Stuart
Southern Horse
Alfred Pleasonton
Army of the Potomac
Beverly Ford
Aldie
Middleburg
Upperville
Chancellorsville
Lee
Pennsylvania
Culpepper
Hooker
Rappahannock
Longstreet
Ewell
Gen. Pleasanton
Pleasonton
Pleasanton
West Point
Virginia
Stuart
Gen. Stuart
Gen. Custer
Yellow Tavern
Richmond
Blue Rid Mountains
Washington
Brandy Station
Elie Ridge
Alleghany Mountains
Shenandoah Valley
St. James
Buford
Grege
Duffie
Lee and Kilpatrick duel near Aldie Gap in Loudoun
The narrative details Lee ordering Stuart to guard Aldie Gap while Pleasonton moves to seize it. Kilpatrick leads a bold First Maine cavalry charge, four guns captured, and Union forces gain the day. Post battle, Confederates fall back from Loudoun, clearing the way toward Middleburg and safeguarding Washington. Kilpatrick’s career is summarized from West Point to his 29th major general promotion.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Aldie Gap
Washington
Centerville
Pleasonton
Fitz Lee
Virginia
Hugh Judson Kilpatrick
Kilpatrick
Self
First Maine
Ashby Gap
J .K. B. Stuart
Middleburg
Gregg
Coluffie
Stuart
Loudoun County
Blue Ridge Mountains
Bull Run
Tooker II
Lee
Pennsylvania
Blue Ridge
New Jersey
West Point
Gettysburg
Chili
Red
Also Mentioned on This Page
Baton Rouge, la
Stone River
Lincoln
Estarav
Streights
Abel DD. Streight
Todiana
Vate
Generala
Alry
Cavalry
Beverly Ford and
Aldie, Va
Shenandoah
Valley
J. . B. Stuart
Battle OF
Gen. Kilpatrick
Kittoctin Mountains
Short Range
Vir_rginia
Lbu Hooker
Army
Midway
Harpers
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