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View Down Federal Line (East View)
At the time of the battle, a rail fence ran along the woodline to the
right of the picture. Intense Confederate artillery fire and Forrest's
cavalry advance, as above stated, forced Dunham to fall back on this line.
The left flank of the line began near here, continued to the wooded hill
at the other end of the clearing, and then turned abruptly southward.
Forrest's artillery moved forward once again, and once again Dunham
assailed them. Still the attempt was an exercise in futility. Forrest now
began to press his soldiers against the Union line |
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Federal Mass Grave
After the battle, 30 dead Union soldiers were buried on top of the hill that
anchored Dunham's fenceline right flank during the battle |
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Freeman's Battery, Forrest's Artillery
Inscription:
Dedicated to Freemans Battery
Forrests Artillery and Samuel L. Freeman, Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrests
first artillery captain. Freemans battery fought near here during the
Battle of Parkers Crossroads, Dec. 31, 1862 |
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Freeman's Battery, Forrest's Artillery
Inscription: Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest opened the Battle of Parkers
Crossroads by placing a 12-pdr. Bronze field howitzer under the command of
Sgt. Nat Baxter on a knoll in Hicks Field four hundred yards from the enemy.
The Federals were supported by three cannon. The Union assault was so
intense Baxters men were forced to load and fire lying down. In spite of
the awkward position, the firing was rapid. Baxters guns dismounted one of
the Federal guns to the great satisfaction of Gen. Forrest, who remained
with Baxters gun during the duel and was with the piece frequently
throughout the day. The other two guns were later captured. Forrest relied
chiefly on his artillery in fighting the Federals at the crossroads and did
not expose his soldiers unless necessary for the protection of the guns.
The Federals were driven beyond the crossroads and were surrendering when
Forrest was surprised by another Union force behind his artillery. Exposed
to fire front and rear, he withdrew in good order leaving the three captured
guns and one Confederate gun that had exploded. Two additional guns of
Freemans Battery were left when the new Federal force killed all the
artillery horses.
In his report of the battle, Gen. Forrest stated that Captain Freeman and
all his men deserved special mention, keeping up as they did a constant fire
from their pieces not withstanding the enemy made every effort at silencing
their pieces by shooting down the artillerists at the guns
Erected June 8, 2002 by Freemans Battery Forrests Artillery Camp 1939 Sons
of Confederate Veterans. |
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