Battle of Rowlett ' s Station The Battle of Rowlett ' s Station ( also known as Battle of Woodsonville or of Green River ) was a land battle in the American Civil War , fought in the whistle - stop station of Rowlett ' s in Hart County , Kentucky , on December 17 , 1861 . The outcome was inconclusive , although the Union Army continued to hold its objective , a railroad bridge across the Green River . Background and opposing forces . Brig . Gen . Don Carlos Buell had assumed command of the Army of the Ohio in November 1861 , and in an attempt to consolidate Union hold over the surrounding area , organized a spate of troop movements into the field . Part of these movements included the march of the 2nd Division under Brig . Gen . Alexander McDowell McCook into Kentucky . Meanwhile , the Confederate Western Department , under General Albert Sidney Johnston , had sent out elements that lined up along the Green River near Munfordville , Kentucky . McCook initiated a movement toward Confederate lines , and the rebel divisions , under Brig . Gen . Thomas C . Hindman , responded by blowing up the southern pier of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad bridge spanning the Green River , along with about 100 feet of track , on December 10 . Col . August Willich of the 32nd Indiana Infantry sent two of his companies across the river , and had the rest engaged in building a pontoon bridge . The Union forces were mainly men from the 32nd Indiana Infantry Regiment . The particularly notable Confederates were the 8th Texas Cavalry , later better known as Terry ' s Texas Rangers . The 32nd Indiana Infantry , also called the " First German " , was made up of German immigrants and descendants of local German settlers . Col . Willich had assumed command at the request of Governor Oliver P . Morton . He was a disciplinarian , using Prussian bugle calls to direct his regiment on the parade ground and battlefield . The 8th Texas Cavalry was formed by Col . Benjamin Franklin Terry . He was requested by General Johnston to join the army that he was then recruiting , promising him an independent command . The 8th Texas voted to join the general in Kentucky . Battle . The bridge was completed on December 17 , and four more companies crossed the river . In the meantime , Brig . Gen . Thomas C . Hindman directed a Confederate force of Texas Rangers , Arkansas infantry , and Mississippi artillery to destroy the bridge . Advancing into the woods , the Union forces discovered enemy skirmisher s south of Woodsonville . The latter retreated until their cavalry joined them , and then attacked the Yankee companies . This was the first time in the Civil War that cavalry faced infantry . The Union companies fell into square formation . The Texas Rangers responded by charging the position wildly . In the ensuing battle , Colonel Terry of the Rangers was mortally wounded . On the Union side , Lt . Max Sachs of the 32nd Indiana and four of his men found themselves isolated by the Rangers , but repeatedly defied their demands to surrender , and they continued to fight until Sachs was struck down . The Rangers charged three times , but were finally forced to retreat . Colonel Willich , who was away at division headquarters at the time , soon returned and ordered a withdrawal to a stronger position . The Confederates , fearing imminent approach of McCook ' s forces , also withdrew . Aftermath . Both sides claimed victory , attributing grievous losses to each other . While the outcome was indecisive , the Union forces remained in control of the field of engagement , incidentally making recovery of casualties , and the accounting of those lost , wounded , or missing difficult . The forces continued to ensure the movement of Union men and supplies on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad . The 32nd gained nationwide recognition for its stand against Confederate forces at Rowlett ' s Station . A detachment of 500 men under Lt . Col . Henry von Trebra fought off 1300 men of Terry ' s Texas Rangers and infantry under General Hindman . The 32nd formed the " hollow square " , and drove the attackers back , losing 10 and 22 wounded , but killing thirty - three of the enemy , including Col . Terry , and wounding fifty others . Twelve men of the 32nd Indiana Regiment were originally buried on a hilltop near the battle site . In 1867 , the state of Kentucky transferred the remains , as well as the limestone tablet bearing an inscription in the soldiers ' honor in German , the 32nd Indiana Monument , to Cave Hill National Cemetery in Louisville , Kentucky . The monument was removed from the site in December 2008 and relocated to the Frazier History Museum in Louisville in August 2010 . The stone monument is the oldest , intact Civil War monument in the United States . A replacement monument was placed in Cave Hill National Cemetery during a dedication ceremony on December 16 , 2011 . The 8th Texas Cavalry Regiment changed its name to " Terry ' s Texas Rangers " in honor of the fallen colonel . The Battle of Rowlett ' s Station was soon overshadowed by Union victories at Mill Springs , Kentucky , and Fort Henry and Fort Donelson , Tennessee . Order of battle . Union Army Brig . Gen . Alexander McDowell McCook < br > " Infantry " " Artillery " Confederate Army Brig . Gen . Thomas Carmichael Hindman < br > " Infantry " " Artillery " " Cavalry "