The Union forces developed an elaborate complex at Johnsonville on the Tennessee River, intended to efficiently transfer large quantities of supplies from steamboats to railroad cars, as an alternative supply line that could support the Federal advance toward Georgia.  This strategic facility became the target of one of Confederate Maj. Gen. N. B. Forrest's infamous raids during late 1864, as part of the South's effort to delay the Federal advance through Georgia.

On the morning of November 4, 1864, Forrest began locating his artillery emplacements directly across the river from the massive Federal supply base, but by afternoon the Confederate activity had been discovered by Union troops.  The alarmed Federals sent the gunboats Key West, Tahwah, and Elfen to attack Forrest, and they were able to force him to give up several Union vessels that he had captured previously (including the gunboat Undine and armed transport Venus).  Then the Federals began shelling Forrest's artillery positions from gunboats and land batteries across the river, but to little avail as the Confederate units were remarkably well positioned.  In a fierce duel the Confederate artillery fire eventually disabled the Federal gunboats.

In reaction, the Federals, afraid that Forrest would cross the river, set fire to their own transports to prevent capture.  At this point, nature introduced an unexpected element in the form of a gusty wind, which soon spread the fire from the transports to the huge stacks of supplies on the levee along with one the major warehouses packed with supplies.

Forrest began a sustained artillery attack on the burning Federal vessels, buildings, and supplies so as to prevent the Federals from putting out the raging inferno.  Forrest then withdrew, his reputation enhanced by the destruction of over two million dollars worth of Federal supplies.  Despite this remarkable Confederate victory, the Union advance was not seriously hindered, because supplies for the Atlanta campaign could be delivered by other routes (the L & N Railroad and the Cumberland River).

In recent years, there has been much renewed interest in the Federal vessels which were scuttled or sunk during the raid on Johnsonville.  Raise the Gunboats, Inc., has undertaken an extensive effort to locate and identify these vessels through underwater archeology projects, including attempts to actually raise and preserve at least one of the vessels.  As these efforts continue, we will attempt to report the ultimate outcome on these web pages.

  Military Actions

Last update:  December 8, 2001