A Panicked Stampede

Much of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest's artillery was deployed in an arc around this area, raining unceasing fire on Union troops at the split-rail fence on the far side of the interstate. Across the road in John Parker's orchard, behind the present-day post office, soldiers assigned to hold horses watched what they could of the battle and waited for it to end. The deafening Confederate cannon and small arms fire masked the approach of a Union brigade of about 1,500 infantry and three pieces of artillery led by Colonel John Fuller, whose men rushed down the ridge 1.3 miles north and burst from the tree line. Alarmed horseholders tried to flee, but the Federals captured about 300 men and a large number of horses before they could escape. Fuller then unlimbered his artillery beside the Parker house on the small rise between the post office and bank building and began shelling the Confederates. Parker, a Union man, resented the placement of the guns because he feared Confederate return fire would endanger his house, and he never forgave the federal government. The unexpected arrival of Union infantry and artillery completely surprised the Confederates, and only an impromptu charge led by Forrest prevented much of his force and all of his artillery from being captured.

Parker's Crossroads, Tennessee · United States