CONFEDERATE MONUMENT DEDICATION
RETREAT OF THE ARMY OF TENNESSEE
FLORENCE, ALABAMA
Confederate Retreat at the Tennessee River
After the loss of Atlanta, the Confederate Army of Tennessee under General John B. Hood moved northward to attempt to recover the State of Tennessee and to draw the troops of General W. T. Sherman from the State of Georgia. After the battles of Franklin and Nashville, the defeated Confederate Army retreated southward in severe winter weather. At Old Bainbridge near this place on December 26, 1864 they began to cross the Tennessee River on a pontoon bridge, and on the morning of December 28, North Carolina and Texas troops, the last brigade of the rear guard crossed over, ending the campaign. In the spring, the Confederate Army of Tennessee was transferred to North Carolina for the Battle of Bentonville and surrendered near there.
“They did their work bravely to the last”
Contact: Richard Melvin
P.O. Box 546
Highlands, North Carolina 28741
#828-526-3762