Dunham's Position

Dunham's Position. . , Attack on the Union Rear , Colonel Cyrus Dunham was riding along the line, making sure that his orders had been understood, when the Confederates who had come up behind the Union line under cover of the woods charged the Federals. Colonel Alfred Russell's and Colonel Tom Woodward's dismounted troopers moved between the Union line and the wagon train. At the same time, Colonel James W. Starnes' cavalry attacked from the south., Counterattack , Orders were given to turn and meet the Confederate attack. Those companies of the 50th Indiana and the 122nd Illinois who heard the order over the din of cannon and small arms fire, fixed bayonets and charged, forcing their way through the enemy's line. The two companies in the rear, guarding the wagons, repulsed Starnes' cavalry. A second attack by Starnes was also repulsed. The 50th Indiana moved to the south, covering the route by which the Confederates had approached. Before they had gotten into position another cavalry charge, led by Colonel Jacob Biffle, hit them. Dunham personally led fragments of the 50th Indiana, 122nd Illinois, and several companies of the 39th Iowa southward., Dunham's Final Position , The Confederates, who may not have expected such a vigorous assault from the beleaguered Federals, fell back. Dunham and his men now found themselves over one-half mile south of the main line, which was still near the split-rail fence. Both Union positions were surrounded by the Confederates. It was while in this position, near the community of Red Mound, that Dunham received a message from General Forrest demanding his unconditional surrender. Dunham immediately sent the aide back to Forrest with a message stating that he never surrendered. Colonel Dunham, isolated from his troops near the split-rail fence, did not know that their surrender was already underway., (caption) , Colonel Cyrus Livingston Dunham