On July 28, 1863, Union Colonel Samuel P. Spear's cavalry rode through Jackson from Federal-occupied Winton to destroy the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad Bridge over the Roanoke River at Weldon. Confederate General Matt W. Ransom and his staff raced just ahead of them in a running shootout after being surprised half a mile from town. As Ransom galloped across the mill tail bridge shouting orders, some of his men bathing in the millpond were caught by surprise and scrambled for their weapons when bullets splashed the water around them. Four companies of the 24th North Carolina Infantry were entrenched near the millpond, Ransom held eight companies of the 49th North Carolina in reserve, and the Confederates also had two Macon Light Artillery guns. Skirmishers advanced against the Federals, but the 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry and two guns from Stewart's Mounted Battery pushed them back. As the Pennsylvanians formed for a mounted attack, Spear arrived with the 10th New York Mounted Rifles, and the other seven guns of the Federal battery joined the shelling of the earthworks. After the artillery barrage, Spear's flanking attempts failed on the Confederate left and right. Because it was late in the day and his force was isolated, Spear withdrew with three dead and a few wounded through Jackson to Deloatche's Mill at present-day Creeksville. The next day he returned to Murfreesboro and then to Winton, which Federal forces evacuated the following day. Ransom lost one man killed, and the Boone's Mill fight saved the Weldon Railroad Bridge, allowing much-needed supplies to continue to Richmond.