Civil War Battle of Kingsport, Tennessee. - Battlefields on Waymarking.com

On the morning of December 13, 1864, after riding for three days in frigid, winter weather, Union Gen. George Stoneman's forces under Gens. Stephen G. Burbridge and Alvan C. Gillem arrived on the western bank of the Holston River. They massed across the river in the fields surrounding the Rotherwood mansion.
Confederate Col. Richard C. Morgan, commanding 300 men of Gen. Basil W. Dukes brigade, stood on the eastern bank to defend Kingsport. The old Ross Bridge that crossed the north fork of the Holston River and connected the two banks was in disrepair and could not support foot traffic. As a result, the well-positioned Confederate troops were confident in spite of being overwelmingly outnumbered, and they thought that a Union attack was unlikely. While part of the Federal force remained in front, Col. Samuel Patton led two regiments (mostly calvery troopers from East Tennessee) roughly three miles up the western bank to Clouds Ford, where they crossed the river. They then made their way down the eastern bank and surprised the Confederates with a flank attack, capturing Morgan and driving his command toward Bristol. The Federal forces soon set off in pursuit.

Morgan's wagon train was captuerd, the number of Confederate soilders that were killed, wounded or captured differs, even the final resting place of the dead is not known for sure, but there is an unmarked cemetery (N36° 33.218 W082° 36.136) about a half a mile away from the battle site that is said to contain the bodys of those brave men that gave their lives in the defense of Kingsport and for the Confederate States of America.


"In the Battle of Kingsport (December 13, 1864) during the American Civil War, a force of 300 Confederates under Colonel Richard Morgan (1836–1918) stopped a larger Union force for nearly two days. An army of over 5,500 troops under command of Major General George Stoneman (1822–1894) had left Knoxville, Tennessee, to raid Confederate targets in Virginia: the salt works at Saltville, the lead works at Wytheville and the iron works in Marion. While Col. Morgan's small band held off a main Union force under Major General Cullem Gillem on the opposite side the Holston River, Col. Samuel Patton took a force of cavalry to a ford in the river 2.5 miles north and came down behind the Confederates. Out-numbered, out-flanked and demoralised by the bitter winter weather, Col. Morgan surrendered. The Confederates suffered 18 dead, and 84 prisoners of war were sent to a Union prison in Knoxville.

The young town lost its charter after a downturn in its fortunes precipitated by the Civil War."

Source: (visit link)

Name of Battle: Battle of Kingsport. Name of War: American Civil War. Parking: N 36° 32.963 W 082° 36.737 Date(s) of Battle (Beginning): 12/13/1864 Entrance Fee: Not Listed Date of Battle (End): Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Post a photo of you in front of a sign or marker posted at the site of the battle (or some other way to indicate you have personally visited the site.

In addition it is encouraged to take a few photos of the surrounding area and interesting features at the site.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   12/30/2019 Manville Possum visited it