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Col. Hurst in the Official Record of the War:

July 15, 1863 - Skirmish on Forked Deer Creek *

• JULY 15: 1863.-Skirmish on Forked Deer Creek, Tenn.
• Report of Col. Fielding Hurst, First West Tennessee Cavalry.
• LAGRANGE, TENN., July 20, 1863.

SIR: I have the honor of submitting the following report:

In compliance with your order bearing date Jackson, Tenn., July 15, 1863, I proceeded with the regiment to Montezuma; thence to Purdy and Camden, where I ascertained the bridge across Big Hatchie River, near Bolivar, was destroyed. I then moved to this place, by way of Pocahontas. On leaving Jackson I marched up the Forked Deer 8 miles, and found the trail of 1,500 to 1,800 rebels, under Biffle, Forrest, and Newsom. They fled before us in great haste, destroying all the bridges they crossed on, giving me such difficulty in
crossing streams in 40 miles travel that I found myself 10 or 12 miles in their rear without any hope of overtaking them this side of our lines.

We took about 20 prisoners; paroled 8 and brought in 7. Some 5 or 6 fell back and made their escape, my rear guard being worn out with fatigue from hard marching and crossing streams by fording, swimming, &c.

I beg leave to state it as my belief that the entire rebel force which we met at Jackson fled by way of Shiloh in a badly torn up and demoralized condition, and could have been easily captured by a small force if thrown out from Corinth.

The prisoners all concur in stating that they were out of ammunition and lowspirited.

I am, sir, your very obedient servant,

FIELDING HURST, Col., Commanding Regiment.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 24, pt. II, p. 682.
*: Dyer’s Battle Index for Tennessee refers to this as “Skirmish near Jackson.”

Filed under: Skirmish on Forked Deer Creek, Official Record