“The engagement is considered a clear Union defensive victory”

The Battle of Tebbs’ Bend was fought on July 4, 1863, along the Green River in Taylor County, Kentucky, during Confederate Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan’s raid into Kentucky as part of the American Civil War.

Morgan’s objective was to continue his northward raid, disrupting Union infrastructure and supply lines. To do so, his forces needed to cross the Green River near Tebbs’ Bend. Blocking that route was a Union force of roughly 200 men under Colonel Orlando H. Moore of the 25th Michigan Infantry.

Despite being heavily outnumbered by Morgan’s command, estimated at over 2,000 cavalry, the Union troops occupied a strong defensive position behind fence lines and natural cover along a bend in the river. The terrain limited Confederate mobility and forced Morgan’s cavalry to fight dismounted.

Morgan ordered multiple frontal assaults against the Union position. Each attack was repelled with significant Confederate casualties. The Union line held throughout the engagement, and Morgan ultimately abandoned the position rather than continue costly attacks.

Union casualties were relatively light, while Confederate losses were substantially higher, including several officers. The failed assault delayed Morgan’s raid and forced him to seek an alternate river crossing.

The engagement is considered a clear Union defensive victory and a notable example of a smaller, well-positioned force successfully resisting a much larger attacking force.