General John H. Morgan, in command of Confederate troops, entered Jefferson County here on July 25, 1863, and proceeded northward through Short Creek Valley, Smithfield, and other villages while being pursued, under orders of General Ambrose E. Burnside, by General James M. Shackelford commanding the 14th Illinois Cavalry, First Kentucky Cavalry, 9th Michigan Cavalry, 11th Michigan Battery, 86th Ohio Mounted Infantry, and 2d Tennessee Mounted Infantry.