Wilson's Raid Facts

March 22–April 20, 1865

Key facts about Union General James H. Wilson's 1865 raid into Alabama and Georgia.

Portrait of Robert C. Tyler

On Easter Sunday, April 16, during Wilson’s Raid, a federal sharpshooter mortally wounded Confederate Brigadier General Robert C. Tyler at the Battle of West Point, making him the last general officer to be killed in the Civil War. [Wikimedia Commons]

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Date:

  • March 22 – April 20, 1865

Location:

  • Alabama and Georgia

Principal Union commander(s):

  • Brevet Major General James H. Wilson

Principal Confederate commander(s):

  • General Nathan Bedford Forrest

Union forces engaged:

  • Three cavalry divisions

Confederate forces engaged:

  • Forrest’s Cavalry Corps, as well as state militia

Number of Union soldiers engaged:

  • Roughly 13,480

Number of Confederate soldiers engaged:

  • Roughly 5,000

Estimated Union casualties:

  • 697 (99 killed, 598 wounded)

Estimated Confederate casualties:

  • 7,000 (1,000 killed and wounded and 6,000 captured)

Result:

  • Union victory

Significance:

  • During Wilson’s Raid, Union soldiers inflicted considerable damage to the infrastructure of the Deep South, and they significantly reduced the dwindling Confederate fighting force by taking over 6,000 prisoners and killing or wounding over 1,000 soldiers.
  • On Easter Sunday, April 16, during Wilson’s Raid, Federal troops easily routed the Rebel defenders at the Battle of Columbus, taking roughly 1,500 prisoners in what is generally considered to be the last major battle of the Civil War.
  • On Easter Sunday, April 16, during Wilson’s Raid, Federal troops captured an under-manned Fort Tyler at the Battle of West Point, making that outpost the last Confederate fort captured by the Union during the Civil War.
  • On Easter Sunday, April 16, during Wilson’s Raid, a federal sharpshooter mortally wounded Confederate Brigadier General Robert C. Tyler at the Battle of West Point, making him the last general officer to be killed in the Civil War.
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Citation Information

The following information is provided for citations.

  • Article Title Wilson's Raid Facts
  • Date March 22–April 20, 1865
  • Author
  • Keywords wilson's raid, american civil war, james h. wilson, nathan bedford forrest
  • Website Name American History Central
  • Access Date June 1, 2023
  • Publisher R.Squared Communications, LLC
  • Original Published Date
  • Date of Last Update May 6, 2022

Wilson's Raid Facts is Part of the Following on AHC

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