Vaught’s Hill

The Battle of Vaught’s Hill, also known as the Battle of Milton, occurred on March 20, 1863.  A Union brigade-sized reconnaissance force commanded by Col. Albert S. Hall left Murfreesboro on March 18. Circling to the northeast, Hall encountered Confederate Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan’s cavalry, which caused him to fall back to a position east of Milton. Pursuing Hall, Morgan’s men caught up with him on the morning of March 20, at Vaught’s Hill. Dismounted, Morgan struck at both Union flanks encircling Hall’s hilltop position. Hall conducted a perimeter defense and withstood all Confederate attacks, which lasted till after 2:00 p.m. Morgan continued to attack the Union force until 4:30 p.m. when he broke off the engagement after learning that Union reinforcements were enroute from Murfreesboro.