spanglers mill

[kelroy9]

I am looking for a place called spanglers mill , It is said to to be located in jonesbrough alabama but can't find is loction. not sure if it's still there.
It is suppose to be were a good size fight was. if any of you find out any thing let me know. thanks

[WVaTom]

If so send me your address via email or p. m. I have heard of the battle. Might be some good leads in the official records as too the location.

[Gregory]

I to have heard of Spangler's Mill. I'm sure if the battle was fair size then there should be some information recorded for you.

I was trying to think who that fella was pictured in your avatar . Oh yea, Thats my old buddy Stonewall and that picture is the final one taken of him alive.

Good luck in your search,

Greg

[boomer]

Hope you find the location. Here's a question for all you Stonewall fans: What did he have constantly in one hand, and where was the other one?

[boomer]

Cute, F2D2, Old Stoney was a bit of the wierd. He was addicted to lemons. Had one to suck on all the time. Can you imagine the logistic problem his QM had to supply him with these? The other hand was raised high over his head, believing it helped cure the ills (?) he had. Frequently the new troops, when marching by him, thought he was blessing them.

[boomer]

Kelroy, I got out my S. Foote books and found this item: Union cavalry wrecked the bridge at Spangler's Mill, just west of Strasburg, with the result that the three miles of turnpike between there and the crossing at Cedar Creek were crowded with artillery and vehicles....Hope that helped. Unfortunately, many of these local battles folks are fond telling about quite often are just a skirmish, or patrol action. In time and telling, it has become a major battle. Good luck.

[tiger4life]

Not in Alabama

[nhggagnon]

Greetings,

I did a little internet digging and came up with the following. It may already be information you have but just in case....

This site describes who was in the battle:

http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/pottery/1080/spanglers_mill_al_26jul62.htm

Checking the actual record on this revealed the following:

At daybreak I had gained the Tuscumbia and Chattanooga road, and moved southward on the road leading to La Grange until I came to the county-line road, which I followed until I came to a point about 8 miles south of the Tuscumbia and Chattanooga, where I took a by-road, leading southeastward to the Russellville road; thence to Spangler's Mill, near which the Moulton and Courtland roads intersect. After I had gained the Russellville road, and when within about one-half mile of the mill, I halted near a school-house, standing in the edge of the woods on the left of the road, send forward Company M, in command of Lieutenant McEntee, for the purpose of making a dash upon the mill, to secure, if possible, a small force of rebel pickets which I had learned were stationed at that point, and after having extended the advance and rear guards a little I ordered my men to dismount. While in this situation I was suddenly apprised of the approach of a column of rebel cavalry, since variously estimated at from 150 to 300 strong. I immediately formed my force, consisting of Companies L and H, in column of squadron in the margin of the woods fronting the enemy's point of ingress. Scarcely had this movement been effected when the enemy dashed down, formed a line under our fire nearly parallel and not to exceed 6 rods in distance. For about ten minutes the fire from both sides was sharp and withering, both ranks being sensibly thinned. But the enemy still continued to rush down the road in overwhelming numbers, increased their front, and concentrated a fire upon my force, compelling them to give way, which movement was effected in tolerable order at a point about 10 rods in rear of my first position. I partially succeeded in forming a second line on the bank of a ravine, for the purpose of holding the enemy in check until I could rally upon the opposite bank. This I effected under a galling fire, and with a loss, by accident, of several horses and perhaps one or two men. While my men, thus formed, were pouring an irregular fire upon the enemy, Company M, having returned from the mill, formed in the road and poured in volley after volley with terrible effect. This timely and well-executed movement of Lieutenant McEntee diverted the attention of the enemy and gave me time to change my position to the enemy's left, upon which I advanced with dismounted skirmishers. Meanwhile Lieutenant McEntee, perceiving himself flanked, drew his men off in good order, but was hotly pursued for about 4 miles. He returned by way of the Courtland road.
Finding it impossible to push my men forward to a new engagement I deemed it proper to withdraw, which was done in good order. After proceeding a short distance I came to a by-road leading back to the same point, and induced my men to return again, to look after the wounded, and, if possible, to form a junction with Lieutenant McEntee; but, on coming within sight of the enemy, we were repulsed and forced to retreat for some distance through the woods.
The strength of my command was as follows: Company L, 33; Company H, 24; Company M, 32.
Our loss was 11 men missing and about 20 horses. The loss on the part of the enemy must have been far greater.
G. MOYERS,
Major, Third Michigan Cavalry, Commanding Third Battalion.


Next an old county map at this location:

http://alabamamaps.ua.edu/historicalmaps/counties/lawrence.html

This map may show a likely location if you zoom in on the area between Moulton and Courtland there are roads that "intersect" about 7 miles south of what is listed on the map as Jonesborough (what is now Town Creek) and it indicates a building next to the stream very close to the intersection and another building a bit to the west (the school he mentions in the report???)

According to currrent topo maps that should put you about a mile south of the center of Hatton. Best bet from here would be to check the Town creek library for local town history and see if you can get an 1860's map of the area that mentions the roads above and try to overlay the geographical features on a current topo map.

Hope that helps

Gary