Battle of Campbell's Station

Background. Longstreet's two infantry divisions, supported by 5,000 cavalry, were detached from Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee to defeat Burnside's forces and recapture Knoxville. Burnside had occupied East Tennessee since late August 1863. The strategic situation favored the Confederacy after Bragg's victory at Chickamauga in September 1863, prompting Bragg to order Longstreet to detach his forces on November 4, 1863.

Engagement. Longstreet hoped to crush the Union Army of the Ohio before they could retreat to Knoxville. During the fighting, Confederates forced Union troops to fall back from five separate positions. One source passage describes fighting in which Confederates pressed against Union troops until about 1:30 pm, when Hartranft ordered Christ's brigade to the front line; the passage contains an apparent transcription error duplicating the Humphrey name for both sides, so the specific units engaged cannot be stated with confidence.

Outcome. The failure to trap Burnside at Campbell's Station meant Longstreet was compelled to besiege Union forces within Knoxville. Burnside's troops won the race for Campbell's Station, saving Knoxville from capture. The National Park Service estimated 400 Union and 570 Confederate casualties. Longstreet blamed guides and lack of maps for his inability to outmarch Burnside.