Battle of Athens (1864)

Battle of Athens Part of the American Civil War Date January 26, 1864 Location Athens, Alabama 34°48′12″N 86°58′20″W / 34.8033°N 86.9722°WCoordinates: 34°48′12″N 86°58′20″W / 34.8033°N 86.9722°W Result Union victory Belligerents United States(Union) CSA (Confederacy) Commanders and leaders Emil Adams Moses W. Hannon Units involved 9th Illinois Mounted Infantry 1st Alabama Cavalry Strength 100 600 Casualties and losses 20 30

The Battle of Athens was fought in Athens, Alabama (Limestone County, Alabama), on January 26, 1864,^[1] as part of the American Civil War. The Union force was a company under Captain Emil Adams from the 9th Illinois Mounted Infantry regiment. The Confederate force was the 1st Alabama Cavalry, under Lieutenant Colonel Moses W. Hannon.^[2]

On the morning of January 26, 1864, at around 4:00 a.m., 600 Confederate cavalrymen attacked Athens,^[3] which was being held by a Union force of only 100. Even though the Union defenders had no fortifications and were outnumbered six to one, they were able to repulse the Confederate attack and force them into a retreat after a two-hour battle.^[2]

References

1. "Civil War Timeline/Chronology for January 1864". Blue and Grey Trail.com. Retrieved 2016-08-19.
2. "Battle Summary". National Park Service. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
3. "Reports of Brigadier General G M Dodge". Ohio State University. Retrieved 23 September 2016.

External links

• National Park Service battle description