Battle of Jackson

Battle of Jackson. Monday August 3, 1863. , In the late evening of August 3, 1863, Col. John L. Logan's Confederate cavalry (500 men), approached from the northwest by way of the Jackson-Woodville Road. Their scouts soon subdued the Federal pickets with the aid of local residents., Confederate forces consisted of the 11th/17th Ark. Mounted Infantry, 9th Tenn Cavalry Battalion (Gant's) and the following Miss Cavalry battalions: Garlan's, Stockdale's, Cage's, Hughes' and also Roberts' Battery. They deployed in what was mostly a wooded area just west of the college grounds (to your left rear)., , The Federal forces numbered between 350 and 500 men. Their commander, Lt. Moore Hanham, deployed this force in a line of battle facing East College Street., The Federal Line {1} extended from the west wing dormitory (large white columned brick building to your left front on the college grounds) to near Pine Street. The 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry anchored the line's northern end. The 2nd Vermont Light Artillery was placed at the formations center. The remainder of the line was filled with men of the 1st, 3rd and 6th Corps D'Afrique. , , The Confederates placed Roberts' Miss. Battery {2} 200-300 yards to your left rear. Around five p.m. Logan's men {3} struck directly at the Federals. A flanking movement {4} was also sent around the northern end of the Federal line. The Federals quickly fell back to the southeast where a new line formed briefly {5} near the southern end of the east-wing dormitory (no longer standing). They soon fled to a ravine {6} 150 yards to the south. The terrain prevented the Vermont Battery from following the other Federal units. The Vermonters, were forced to gallop directly toward the attacking Confederates {7} in hopes of reaching East College St., and fleeing southward through town.