Second Battle of Collierville

Summary of the Second Battle of Collierville

The Second Battle of Collierville was one of two significant battles that took place around Collierville, Tennessee in October and November 1863. Confederate Brigadier General James R. Chalmers thought the Union garrison at Collierville was weak, so he planned an attack. The Union commander, Colonel Edward Hatch, was stationed five miles west of Collierville, at Germantown. Spies warned Hatch that Chalmers was going to attack, so Hatch put the garrison at Collierville on alert. Then Hatch gathered cavalry and rode to Colliersville to reinforce the garrison. Chalmers launched his attack on November 3. He approached Collierville from the south. The Union held and when Chalmers realized there were more troops at Collierville than he expected, he called off the attack. The Confederates withdrew and went to Mississippi. The Union did not pursue them.

James R. Chalmers led Confederate forces at the Second Battle of Colliersville. Image Source: Library of Congress.

5 Key Facts About the Second Battle of Collierville

1. Date Started: The Second Battle of Collierville started on Tuesday, November 3, 1863.
2. Date Ended: The fighting ended on November 3, 1863.
3. Location: The battle took place in Shelby County, Tennessee.
4. Who Won: The United States of America won the Second Battle of Colliersville.
5. Civil War Campaign: The Second Battle of Colliersville was part of the Operations on the Memphis & Charleston Railroad.

Important Facts About the Second Battle of Collierville

Facts about the Second Battle of Collierville, including dates, casualties, participants, who won, and more interesting details you might not know. This section provides a quick overview of the battle and is for kids doing research and students preparing for the AP U.S. History (APUSH) exam.

Definition

The Second Battle of Collierville was fought between the United States of America and the Confederate States of America on November 3, 1863, during the American Civil War.

Commanders and Regiments — United States of America

Officers

• Colonel Edward Hatch

Units

• 3rd Cavalry Brigade

Commanders and Regiments — Confederate States of America

Generals

• Brigadier General James R. Chalmers

Units

• Confederate Cavalry

Results of the Second Battle of Collierville

• The outcome of the Second Battle of Collierville was a Union victory.
• Chalmers withdrew to Mississippi, which allowed the Union to continue to use the Memphis & Charleston Railroad.

Casualties and Statistics

Union Soldiers and Casualties

• Roughly 850 troops were involved.
• 155 (killed, wounded, and missing/captured).

Confederate Soldiers and Casualties

• Roughly 2,500 troops were involved.
• 95 (killed, wounded, and missing/captured).

Interesting Facts About the Second Battle of Collierville

• Confederate forces under the command of Chalmers also failed to take the Union garrison at the Battle of Munfordville in September 1862.
• The Second Battle of Collierville was one of four engagements fought in the area in the fall of 1863.
• The town of Collier, Tennessee is named after Jesse R. Collier, who bought the land and advertised it as the “Town of Collier.” The town was laid out in 1836 and incorporated in 1850.

Significance of the Second Battle of Collierville

The Second Battle of Collierville was important because the Union was able to keep the Memphis & Charleston Railroad open for Union troop movements.

Timeline of the Second Battle of Collierville

This list shows the main battles and events that took place before and after the Second Battle of Collierville, and how it fits into the chronological order of the Operations on the Memphis & Charleston Railroad.

• October 11, 1863 — First Battle of Colliersville
• November 3, 1863 — Second Battle of Colliersville