McKenzie's location put it squarely in the path of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest's first West Tennessee raid in December 1862. After capturing Union City, Forrest turned east on Christmas Day, burning trestles and destroying track between there and McKenzie. Forrest's troopers reached McKenzie two days later with captured wagons full of coffee, flour, and military supplies.
Here he learned that Federal forces had destroyed the bridges across the Obion River and were approaching from several directions.
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Key Facts
- Site of Nathan Bedford Forrest's first West Tennessee raid.
