This was part of Forrest's raid on Federal communications in northern Alabama and central Tennessee. First Forrest's men attacked and captured the garrison at Athens AL on Sept. 24, 1864, moving on to Sulphur Springs Trestle near the Tennessee line next day. The garrison there was subdued after shelling by Forrest's artillery. Skirmishing at Richland Creek, TN, Forrest confronted Rousseau's command at Pulaski TN on Sept. 27th, and withdrew towards Eastport MS, crossing the Tennessee River by Oct. 10th.

To create further confusion, Forrest sent Buford's command back towards Huntsville and Athens, where his cavalry theatened both posts. However, no serious attack was made on either place at this time. Skirmish dates at these two points would have been Oct. 1-2, 1864. Sometimes dates in the service records are off a day or two. It's also possible that this soldier died of wounds a few days after the skirmish.