Forrest's Cavalry

On February 12, 1862, Colonel Nathan Bedford Forrest's cavalry maneuvered to delay the advance of the Federal force on Fort Donelson. After observing McClernand's Division change direction following the encounter along the main highway between Forts Donelson and Henry, Forrest rapidly moved his cavalry to Indian Creek to intercept the Federal advance along the Indian Creek Road. A little over 1 1-2 miles southwest of this point, where the road descends from the hills toward the creek, two of Forrest's squadrons dismounted and deployed as skirmishers astride the road and soon engaged a greatly superior force. To enable them to withdraw, Forrest ordered a charge. Three squadrons on Forrest's left, under Major D.C. Kelly, carried out the charge. The Federal cavalry, acting under orders, wheeled out of the way before the charge and passed through the intervals of the line of skirmishers of the 8th Illinois, which had deployed behind the cavalry. The infantry then opened a terrific fire of musketry at short range against the charging Confederate cavalry. Schwartz's Battery, arriving just in time, also went into action and helped break up the Confederate attack. Forrest then withdrew his troops behind the shelter of the fort.

Dover, Tennessee · United States