The Battle of Hartsville, Tennessee

The battle of Hartsville has been called by many the “Most successfully executed Calvary raid of the war between the states”. While the number of troops engaged in this battle was comparatively small, the Confederate victory was so complete and decisive in military tactic that news of the battle was reported across the country by nearly 70 newspapers. In fact, the Battle of Hartsville attracted the attention of President Abraham Lincoln, who sent a telegram to the commanding senior general stationed in Nashville asking, “Who was responsible for the disaster at Hartsville?”. It was due to the success of this battle that Confederate Colonel John Hunt Morgan, known as “The Thunderbolt of the Confederacy”, received his commission to Brigadier General. This driving tour includes buildings and homes used as hospitals, sites where Morgan quartered nearly 2000 prisoners after the 75-minute battle, river crossings, rendezvous points and a cemetery. We hope you enjoy your tour through Hartsville, Tennessee.