Battle of Bull's Gap
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Battle of Bull's Gap was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on November 11-November 13, 1864 in Hamblen County and Greene County, Tennessee.
In November 1864, Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge undertook an expedition into East Tennessee from Virginia in order to secure the countryside for food and forage and to drive the Federals from the area. A Federal force under the command of Brig. Gen. Alvan C. Gillem had advanced beyond Greeneville, but retired in front of the larger Confederate force moving out of Jonesboro towards Greeneville. In the hopes of protecting the rail lines to Knoxville, the Federals fell back to Bull’s Gap south of Whitesburg on the East Tennessee & Virginia Railroad. The Confederates attacked on the morning of the 11th but were repulsed by 11:00 am. Artillery fire continued throughout the day. On the morning of the 12th both sides attacked; the Confederates sought to hit the Union forces in a variety of locations but they gained little ground. On the 13th firing occurred throughout most of the day, but the Confederates did not assault the Union lines. The Union forces, short on everything from ammunition to rations, withdrew from Bull’s Gap toward Russellville late on the evening of the 13th. Breckinridge pursued the Federals and engaged them near Russellville on the 14th causing a rout. The Federals fell back to Strawberry Plains where Breckinridge again engaged his forces. Federal reinforcements soon arrived and foul weather began to play havoc with the roads and streams. Breckinridge, with most of his force, retired back to Virginia. This victory was a setback in the Federal plans to rid East Tennessee of Confederate influence.
