Third Corps, Army of Tennessee
Encyclopedia
The Third Corps was a military formation in the Confederate States Army
during the American Civil War
.
. The Corps was named the III Corps, Army of Mississippi when the Corps went to Corinth
and fought at the Battle of Shiloh
. The 'Corps' was in reality a division, with three brigades and only 6,400 men it is small even for a division. The Corps was rather successful, driving Hulbert's division as well as W.H.L. Wallace's division.
The Corps was later engaged at Bloody Pond and assisted Breckinridge in the rearguard. Fighting at Corinth, the Corps served successfully for a few more months until it was renamed Cleburne's division when that officer took command when the four Corps were consolidated and the Corps discontinued.
's Corps from East Tennessee was attached to the Army of Tennessee
. The Corps consisted of Carter Stevenson's Division, the largest at 10,000 men, John McCown's division of 5,500, Henry Heth
commanded a division of 4,500 men and lastly Thomas Churchill commanded a division of 6,500 men all in all 26,500. The Corps never was fully engaged in any major battle, at Cumberland Gap
the Corps was lightly engaged. The Corps would have fought at Stones River
but Stevenson's division was ordered to Vicksburg
, Heth and Churchill went to Knoxville
which left only John McCown and his small division. This proved to be a key factor in the battle and many say if Braxton Bragg
had Smith and his four divisions, he may have won decisively, not only tactically.
With that, the Corps broke up. McCown became a permanent part of the Army of Tennessee and Stevenson stayed at Vicksburg, the remaining divisions were put under new departments and thus the unofficial Corps was abolished.
The Corps was again reconstituted for was at the Siege of Vicksburg. With so many of the Army of Tennessee's units at Vicksburg area, the garrison seemed like part of their own army and additionally nearly the entire garrison fought with the Army of Tennessee sometime or another. The Corps consisted of Forney's division, 4,500 men, Martin Smith's division with another 6,500, William Loring's division of 6,000 more, John Bowen
's division of 6,000 and Carter Stevenson's division of 10,000. The Corps all in all numbered 33,000 men. The Corps fought at Champion Hill
, and the siege itself. Loring and his division broke out and later on served in two other Third Corps but the rest of the 'Corps', usually known as the Army of Mississippi
, surrendered on July 4.
A Third Corps (although seldom so-called) was again re-constituted under Joseph Johnston during the Vicksburg campaign. The corps contained many troops from both the Army of Mississippi and the Army of Tennessee. The corps contained Loring's division after it broke out, 6,000, Wallker's division from Charleston
with 10,000, John Breckinridge
from the Army of Tennessee with 10,000 more, Jackson's division from the Army of Tennessee with 6,000 and finally a command of five disorganized brigades numbering 10,000 more. All in all 42,000 men at its height. This Corps though was dispersed and then was abolished though its fragments later became part of another III corps.
The Corps was reconstituted again during the Chickamauga Campaign
. Braxton Bragg organized his army into the I, II, III and reserve Corps. The new III Corps was under Simon Bolivar Buckner
with fragments of Kirby Smith's old Corps. Under new commanders, the three divisions were under Alexander P. Stewart
with 4,500 men, William Preston with 5,000 and Burshod Johnson with 6,000 more. All in all 15,500 men. The corps was re-named 'Buckner's Corps' however once battle was joined and was shortly abolished.
's Army of Mississippi
went east to join the Army of Tennessee
in the Atlanta Campaign
. It contained divisions under William Loring with 6,500 men, veterans from the Vicksburg Campaign
. It also contained a division of 7,500 under Samuel French
from Mississippi and finally 6,000 men from Mobile
under general Cantey (or Wathall). All in all, 20,000 men. This Corps took the right flank of the Army of Tennessee at Rocky Face Ridge
and the left flank at Resaca
. This corps, known as the III Corps or the Army of Mississippi
fought also at Kennesaw Mountain
where its commander, Leonidas Polk was killed.
The command switched hands five times during the campaign, first to William Wing Loring for the rest of the battle, but then Alexander P. Stewart
took command briefly, but was overruled by Benjamin F. Cheatham
who took command for nearly a month. After heavy fighting, the Corps finally went to Alexander P. Stewart again who commanded it until the surrender.
The Corps fought heavily at Peachtree Creek
, where it broke through George Henry Thomas
's lines. At Atlanta the Corps was in reserve and missed Ezra Church as well as Jonesboro. The Corps, while the smallest in the army suffered the least between the three Corps.
invaded Tennessee
, the III Corps went with it. It fought heavily at Altoona Pass, and assaulted the Union right at the disastrous Battle of Franklin
. Suffering heavy losses, the corps was merely a large division once it arrived at Nashville
. The III Corps was on the left flank for the first part of the battle, where it suffered heavily. It was later transferred to the center where it suffered lightly by muskets but fled the field.
The corps went to the Carolinas afterwards, fighting at the Battle of Bentonville
. It surrendered with the rest of the army.
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Formation
The Corps was originally formed by gathering William Joseph Hardee's division from the Central Army of Kentucky, also known as the Army of central KentuckyKentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. The Corps was named the III Corps, Army of Mississippi when the Corps went to Corinth
Corinth, Mississippi
Corinth is a city in Alcorn County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 14,054 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Alcorn County. Its ZIP codes are 38834 and 38835.- History :...
and fought at the Battle of Shiloh
Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, was a major battle in the Western Theater of the American Civil War, fought April 6–7, 1862, in southwestern Tennessee. A Union army under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant had moved via the Tennessee River deep into Tennessee and...
. The 'Corps' was in reality a division, with three brigades and only 6,400 men it is small even for a division. The Corps was rather successful, driving Hulbert's division as well as W.H.L. Wallace's division.
The Corps was later engaged at Bloody Pond and assisted Breckinridge in the rearguard. Fighting at Corinth, the Corps served successfully for a few more months until it was renamed Cleburne's division when that officer took command when the four Corps were consolidated and the Corps discontinued.
1862 recreation
The III Corps was re-constituted four more times following its abolition. First it was re-constituted when Edmund Kirby SmithEdmund Kirby Smith
Edmund Kirby Smith was a career United States Army officer and educator. He served as a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War, notable for his command of the Trans-Mississippi Department of the Confederacy after the fall of Vicksburg.After the conflict ended Smith...
's Corps from East Tennessee was attached to the Army of Tennessee
Army of Tennessee
The Army of Tennessee was the principal Confederate army operating between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River during the American Civil War. It was formed in late 1862 and fought until the end of the war in 1865, participating in most of the significant battles in the Western Theater...
. The Corps consisted of Carter Stevenson's Division, the largest at 10,000 men, John McCown's division of 5,500, Henry Heth
Henry Heth
Henry "Harry" Heth was a career United States Army officer and a Confederate general in the American Civil War. He is best remembered for inadvertently precipitating the Battle of Gettysburg, when he sent some of his troops of the Army of Northern Virginia to the small Pennsylvania village,...
commanded a division of 4,500 men and lastly Thomas Churchill commanded a division of 6,500 men all in all 26,500. The Corps never was fully engaged in any major battle, at Cumberland Gap
Battle of the Cumberland Gap (June 1862)
The June 1862 capture of the Cumberland Gap was a Union victory during the American Civil War leading to Union occupation of the Cumberland Gap for three months.-Background:...
the Corps was lightly engaged. The Corps would have fought at Stones River
Battle of Stones River
The Battle of Stones River or Second Battle of Murfreesboro , was fought from December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863, in Middle Tennessee, as the culmination of the Stones River Campaign in the Western Theater of the American Civil War...
but Stevenson's division was ordered to Vicksburg
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Vicksburg is a city in Warren County, Mississippi, United States. It is the only city in Warren County. It is located northwest of New Orleans on the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers, and due west of Jackson, the state capital. In 1900, 14,834 people lived in Vicksburg; in 1910, 20,814; in 1920,...
, Heth and Churchill went to Knoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee
Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...
which left only John McCown and his small division. This proved to be a key factor in the battle and many say if Braxton Bragg
Braxton Bragg
Braxton Bragg was a career United States Army officer, and then a general in the Confederate States Army—a principal commander in the Western Theater of the American Civil War and later the military adviser to Confederate President Jefferson Davis.Bragg, a native of North Carolina, was...
had Smith and his four divisions, he may have won decisively, not only tactically.
With that, the Corps broke up. McCown became a permanent part of the Army of Tennessee and Stevenson stayed at Vicksburg, the remaining divisions were put under new departments and thus the unofficial Corps was abolished.
The Corps was again reconstituted for was at the Siege of Vicksburg. With so many of the Army of Tennessee's units at Vicksburg area, the garrison seemed like part of their own army and additionally nearly the entire garrison fought with the Army of Tennessee sometime or another. The Corps consisted of Forney's division, 4,500 men, Martin Smith's division with another 6,500, William Loring's division of 6,000 more, John Bowen
John S. Bowen
John Stevens Bowen was a career United States Army officer and a general in the Confederate States Army, a commander in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. He is often said to have died just as his abilities were gaining attention.-Early life:Bowen was born in Bowen's Creek, Georgia...
's division of 6,000 and Carter Stevenson's division of 10,000. The Corps all in all numbered 33,000 men. The Corps fought at Champion Hill
Battle of Champion Hill
The Battle of Champion Hill, or Bakers Creek, fought May 16, 1863, was the pivotal battle in the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. Union commander Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and the Army of the Tennessee pursued the retreating Confederate Lt. Gen. John C...
, and the siege itself. Loring and his division broke out and later on served in two other Third Corps but the rest of the 'Corps', usually known as the Army of Mississippi
Army of Mississippi
There were three organizations known as the Army of Mississippi in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. -Army of Mississippi :This army, at times known by the names Army of the West or Army of the...
, surrendered on July 4.
A Third Corps (although seldom so-called) was again re-constituted under Joseph Johnston during the Vicksburg campaign. The corps contained many troops from both the Army of Mississippi and the Army of Tennessee. The corps contained Loring's division after it broke out, 6,000, Wallker's division from Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
with 10,000, John Breckinridge
John C. Breckinridge
John Cabell Breckinridge was an American lawyer and politician. He served as a U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator from Kentucky and was the 14th Vice President of the United States , to date the youngest vice president in U.S...
from the Army of Tennessee with 10,000 more, Jackson's division from the Army of Tennessee with 6,000 and finally a command of five disorganized brigades numbering 10,000 more. All in all 42,000 men at its height. This Corps though was dispersed and then was abolished though its fragments later became part of another III corps.
The Corps was reconstituted again during the Chickamauga Campaign
Chickamauga Campaign
The Chickamauga Campaign was a series of battles fought in northwestern Georgia from August 21 to September 20, 1863, between the Union Army of the Cumberland and Confederate Army of Tennessee.-Background:...
. Braxton Bragg organized his army into the I, II, III and reserve Corps. The new III Corps was under Simon Bolivar Buckner
Simon Bolivar Buckner
Simon Bolivar Buckner fought in the United States Army in the Mexican–American War and in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He later served as the 30th Governor of Kentucky....
with fragments of Kirby Smith's old Corps. Under new commanders, the three divisions were under Alexander P. Stewart
Alexander P. Stewart
Alexander Peter Stewart was a career United States Army officer, college professor, and a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.-Early life and career:...
with 4,500 men, William Preston with 5,000 and Burshod Johnson with 6,000 more. All in all 15,500 men. The corps was re-named 'Buckner's Corps' however once battle was joined and was shortly abolished.
Final Reappearance
The III Corps was re-raised for a fifth and final time. It was organized after the battle of Chattanooga when Leonidas PolkLeonidas Polk
Leonidas Polk was a Confederate general in the American Civil War who was once a planter in Maury County, Tennessee, and a second cousin of President James K. Polk...
's Army of Mississippi
Army of Mississippi
There were three organizations known as the Army of Mississippi in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. -Army of Mississippi :This army, at times known by the names Army of the West or Army of the...
went east to join the Army of Tennessee
Army of Tennessee
The Army of Tennessee was the principal Confederate army operating between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River during the American Civil War. It was formed in late 1862 and fought until the end of the war in 1865, participating in most of the significant battles in the Western Theater...
in the Atlanta Campaign
Atlanta Campaign
The Atlanta Campaign was a series of battles fought in the Western Theater of the American Civil War throughout northwest Georgia and the area around Atlanta during the summer of 1864. Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman invaded Georgia from the vicinity of Chattanooga, Tennessee, beginning in May...
. It contained divisions under William Loring with 6,500 men, veterans from the Vicksburg Campaign
Vicksburg Campaign
The Vicksburg Campaign was a series of maneuvers and battles in the Western Theater of the American Civil War directed against Vicksburg, Mississippi, a fortress city that dominated the last Confederate-controlled section of the Mississippi River. The Union Army of the Tennessee under Maj. Gen....
. It also contained a division of 7,500 under Samuel French
Samuel Gibbs French
History of Salem County by Joseph S. Sickler, pub 1937 pp-243, 276-277...
from Mississippi and finally 6,000 men from Mobile
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
under general Cantey (or Wathall). All in all, 20,000 men. This Corps took the right flank of the Army of Tennessee at Rocky Face Ridge
Battle of Rocky Face Ridge
The Battle of Rocky Face Ridge was fought May 7–13, 1864, in Whitfield County, Georgia, during the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War. The Union army was led by Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman and the Confederate army by Gen. Joseph E. Johnston...
and the left flank at Resaca
Battle of Resaca
The Battle of Resaca was part of the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War. The battle was waged in both Gordon and Whitfield counties, Georgia, from May 13 - 15, 1864. It ended inconclusively with the Confederate Army retreating. The engagement was fought between the Military Division of the...
. This corps, known as the III Corps or the Army of Mississippi
Army of Mississippi
There were three organizations known as the Army of Mississippi in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. -Army of Mississippi :This army, at times known by the names Army of the West or Army of the...
fought also at Kennesaw Mountain
Kennesaw Mountain
Kennesaw Mountain is a high-running ridge between Marietta and Kennesaw, Georgia in the United States with a summit elevation of . It is the highest point in the core metro Atlanta area, and fifth after further-north exurban counties are considered...
where its commander, Leonidas Polk was killed.
The command switched hands five times during the campaign, first to William Wing Loring for the rest of the battle, but then Alexander P. Stewart
Alexander P. Stewart
Alexander Peter Stewart was a career United States Army officer, college professor, and a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.-Early life and career:...
took command briefly, but was overruled by Benjamin F. Cheatham
Benjamin F. Cheatham
Benjamin Franklin Cheatham , known also as Frank, was a Tennessee aristocrat, California gold miner, and a General in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War, serving in many battles of the Western Theater.-Early years:Cheatham was born in Nashville, Tennessee on a plantation...
who took command for nearly a month. After heavy fighting, the Corps finally went to Alexander P. Stewart again who commanded it until the surrender.
The Corps fought heavily at Peachtree Creek
Battle of Peachtree Creek
The Battle of Peachtree Creek was fought in Georgia on July 20, 1864, as part of the Atlanta Campaign in the American Civil War. It was the first major attack by Lt. Gen. John B. Hood since taking command of the Confederate Army of Tennessee. The attack was against Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman's...
, where it broke through George Henry Thomas
George Henry Thomas
George Henry Thomas was a career United States Army officer and a Union General during the American Civil War, one of the principal commanders in the Western Theater....
's lines. At Atlanta the Corps was in reserve and missed Ezra Church as well as Jonesboro. The Corps, while the smallest in the army suffered the least between the three Corps.
Franklin–Nashville
When army commander John Bell HoodJohn Bell Hood
John Bell Hood was a Confederate general during the American Civil War. Hood had a reputation for bravery and aggressiveness that sometimes bordered on recklessness...
invaded Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, the III Corps went with it. It fought heavily at Altoona Pass, and assaulted the Union right at the disastrous Battle of Franklin
Battle of Franklin
Battle of Franklin may refer to three battles of the American Civil War:* Battle of Franklin , a major battle fought November 30, 1864, at Franklin, Tennessee as part of the Franklin-Nashville Campaign...
. Suffering heavy losses, the corps was merely a large division once it arrived at Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
. The III Corps was on the left flank for the first part of the battle, where it suffered heavily. It was later transferred to the center where it suffered lightly by muskets but fled the field.
The corps went to the Carolinas afterwards, fighting at the Battle of Bentonville
Battle of Bentonville
At 3 p.m., Confederate infantry from the Army of Tennessee launched an attack and drove the Union left flank back in confusion, nearly capturing Carlin in the process and overrunning the XIV Corps field hospital. Confederates under Maj. Gen. D.H. Hill filled the vacuum left by the retreating...
. It surrendered with the rest of the army.
Further reading
- Stanley Fitzgerald Horn (1941). The Army of Tennessee. University of Oklahoma Press, reprinted in 1993. 503 pages. ISBN 0806125659, ISBN 9780806125657.