The Battle of Beardstown, depicted in a mural painted in 2009 by Sonny Davis, stretched almost the entire way from Lobelville to Centerville, occupying the land where the Lobelville Golf Course now sits, giving it the nickname "The Running Battle to Centerville."  Robert D. Anderson was a captain under command of General Forrest. There his men teamed up with Colonel Jacob Biffle, and help force the federal troops to Centerville.

By late 1864, Union forces were generally in control of Middle Tennessee but Confederate cavalry and guerrillas forced them to deploy significant forces to protect railways and supply lines. The important rail line connecting the key Union supply base of Johnsonville on the Tennessee River (about 45 miles northwest of Linden) with Nashville was a key target.

The Battle of Beardstown, depicted in a mural painted in 2009 by Sonny Davis, stretched almost the entire way from Lobelville to Centerville, occupying the land where the Lobelville Golf Course now sits, giving it the nickname "The Running Battle to Centerville."  To drive off some raiders, a Union force of 400 or 500 men from the 2nd Tenn. Mounted Infantry (U.S.), under the command of Col. John Murphy, ventured south into Perry County on September 26.   Col. John Murphy and his men were making their way from their headquarters on Hurricane Creek, in Humphrey's County, to scout for Confederate soldiers.  Col. Murphy moved his men to the mouth of the Duck River and camped for the night.  

The morning of September 27, 1864, Murphy and his men got word that Confederate Colonel Jeff Biffle was in the area with between 500 to 1,000 men. Murphy and his men packed up camp and then headed out to find Biffle. The first time these two colonels and their men met was at the Buffalo Post Office area.  There the men under Robert D. Anderson, a captain under command of General Forrest, teamed up with Colonel Jacob Biffle, and help force the federal troops to Centerville.  

Later that same day, however, there was another skirmish at Beardstown that continued on up the Buffalo River. The ending changes here, however, depending on which side is telling the story. Some say that
Biffle and his men kept Murphy on the run. Others say Murphy had Biffle on the run. One thing we do know, however, is that the battle between these two colonels and their men continued for several miles, each side losing men.

Murphy halted for the night to make camp, near Cane Creek. At daybreak he sent men out to scout for Biffle and his soldiers. Murphy decided that his best course of action was to return to the railroad by way of Centerville.  After travelinbg all day down Cane Creek and avoiding Biffle's men, Murphy stopped for the night near the Old Etna Furnace. Murphy found he was badly outnumbered the next morning and discovered the roads to Centerville were blocked by Biffle's men.  At this point supporters of Murphy and his troops say that Murphy devised a plan to appear to attack, while his troops went around the Confederates and fled rapidly to Centerville, while Biffle supporters say that the Federal troops fled to Centerville in a state of disorder.

The Battle of Beardstown mural depicts this push down the rivers and creeks in Perry County between these two colonels and their men in a way that shows the true nature of this battle. When you look at the mural, you see the troops battling in different stages and continuing on to the vanishing point, until they are gone. The mural is located on the side of Lobelville Video so be sure to check out this piece of Perry County history.

From Lobelville, drive south on TN Hwy 13 for 6.2 miles and turn left (east) onto TN Hwy 438. Cross the Buffalo River Bridge and the marker is at the first farm lane to the left.