In this vicinity on February 22, 1864, Benjamin Grierson ordered McCrillis' Federal brigade into a line of battle opposite Col. Barteau's Confederate brigade of Forrest's cavalry corps. Barteau's men, from the ridge east of the railroad, advanced as the Federal line began to retire in column. Seizing the opportunity, Forrest charged across the prairie and struck the Union column in the rear and on both flanks. As one regiment after another collapsed, Grierson's withdrawal turned into a rout.
