By 1865, Union General Edward Canby was ready for the final assault on Mobile’s eastern shore, scheduled for March 17, 1865. To take Mobile, both Spanish Fort and Blakeley had to be captured. But to keep his rear supply lines safe he had to neutralize the Confederate cavalry in Baldwin Co. and Pensacola. His scouts reported the 15th Cavalry was at Pollard with vanguards stationed at Bluff Springs and the Pine Barren Bridge (today's Highway 29). To destroy these troops, he needed General John Frederick Steele from Fort Barrancas to head north along the Pensacola to Pollard railroad. As a spearhead, Steele placed General Thomas John Lucas in command of his cavalry vanguard. To confront Steele, the Confederates ordered General James Holt Clanton's brigade south with his brigade consisting of the 3rd Alabama reserves, plus the 6th and 8th Alabama Cavalry Regiments.
On March 21st, Steele’s force left Barrancas with a 13,000-man force that it stretched over seven miles long. They made their first camp at Cottage Hill, slowed by the recent rains that sank their wagons and artillery into the thick mud. Upon reaching the Pine Barren Bridge (north of Atmore Crossroads today) on March 23rd they found the bridge washed away from the recent flooding. They were forced to spend the entire next day rebuilding it. Shortly after dawn on the 25th Lucas found approximately 100 southern soldiers dug in behind fortifications on a ridge above Cotton Creek just over a quarter mile north of today's West Bogia Road. Lucas ordered an attack across the partially burning bridge capturing four Confederates.
By 9:00 that morning, the bridge was repaired before Lucas encountered another southern force of 400 at Mitchell’s Creek. Again, they had partially burned the bridge then set up a defensive position on the opposite bank. (Mitchell’s Creek today is a quarter mile north of Milstead Road). Again, the southern troopers were driven from their position. Clanton's men then fell back to Canoe Creek (just under a half mile north of Roach Road today) where another fight ensued. But, Lucas was determined to prevent the southerners from destroying the bridge over Little Escambia River located east of today’s community of Flomaton. The bridge was needed intact to make a decisive attack on Camp Pollard, south of Brewton. So he kept pushing his men thus reaching Bluff Springs around 11:00 o’clock that morning There, they discovered General Clanton already in battle formation with six hundred dismounted troopers of the 6th and 8th Alabama Cavalry Regiments. Their defensive position was located about where the Pensacola Road crossed Pritchett’s Mill Creek about a mile upstream (west) from the village of Bluff Springs. (Today the creek is approximately one-tenth mile north of Bluff Springs Road). On the north side of Pritchett’s Mill Creek, the road angled upward toward a ridge covered with tall pines and live oak trees. There were several nearby fields bordered by split rail fences with Confederates dug in behind them.
But Lucas wasted no time ordering a charge while some of his men circled around the right to strike Clanton from his left flank. After firing several heavy volleys into the oncoming Union horde the Confederate line quickly broke into a rout and fled in all directions. Lucas lost two killed and four wounded but he captured he battle flag of the 6th Alabama. The battle trophy was not returned to the State of Alabama until April 26, 1905. In return, the southerners lost several dead and wounded plus 119 prisoners to Lucas. One of the severely wounded was General Clanton himself. The pursuit lasted seven miles to the Escambia River at Flomaton where the rebels had destroyed the bridge. But the Confederates were so panicked they threw away their equipment and rode their horses into the rain swollen river in an attempt to escape. Sadly, several were drowned in the process along with their horses. With the southern forces routed, the Union column finally arrived at Blakeley on Sunday April 2, 1865 just days before the last major battle of the Civil War was to begin. And the rest is history!
Details of the battle contained here in the Official Records
Confederate Brigadier General James Holt Clanton, (1827-September 27, 1871)
During the Bluff Springs fight, General Clanton was shot in the abdomen and back resulting in his capture. He was treated and paroled at Mobile on May 25 and allowed to go home. After the war, Clanton returned to his law practice where he was gunned down down in Knoxville by an ex-Union officer over an argument over a court case. His murderer was acquitted.
General Clanton's gravesite
Union Brigadier General Thomas John Lucas,
(September 9, 1826- November 16, 1908)
Confederate scouts watching Union General
Steele's column at Pine Barren Creek
Union attack on the Confederate entrenchments at Bluff Springs March 25, 1865
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