On Oct. 11, 1863, Gen. James R. Chalmers approached Collierville from the south along Mt. Pleasant Road with about 3000 Confederate cavalrymen from the 7th TN, 13th TN, 18th MS, 2nd MO, 2nd AR, and 3rd MS. Collierville, a Union supply base, was continuously occupied during the war by Union forces, heavily fortified, and occupied by the 66th IN Infantry. A battle then erupted and the ground was heavily contested. By coincidence, on the same day Maj. Gen. W.T. Sherman was dispatched from Memphis to begin his “March to the Sea,” and he was surprised when his train arrived at the height of the fighting. Sherman threw his escort company into the battle and quickly moved to the depot for protection. Confederate forces captured his train, which contained supplies and a number of fine horses, including the general’s favorite mare, Dolly. After about 3 hrs., the Confederates withdrew when they realized heavy Union reinforcements were en route. Sherman then ordered many of the town’s buildings burned. The engagement was the bloodiest battle of the war in Shelby County, with Confederate casualties at 51 and Union casualties at 110.