From "The Chronological Tracking of the American Civil War Per the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion," 2nd Ed., Ronald A. Mosocco, James River Publications, Williamsburg, Va, 1995 records three events at or near Dyersburg.
Further, the OR pages noted below record these events.
George Martin
08 7 1862 Skirmish at Wood Springs, 5 miles east of Dyersburg, TN, where Union Cavalry suprise and totally rout Jackson's Cavalry
HDQRS. CENTRAL DIVISON OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Trenton, Tenn., August 8, 1862.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report: Yesterday, August 7, between 2 and 3 o'clock p.m., Captain Peck and 50 men attacked Faulkner's company of Jackson's cavalry 5 miles east of Dyersburg, in the river bottom, and completely surprised them. They report that they killed some 25 to 30, took 53 horses, a large number of guns, arms, &c. The dispatches taken show that this company crossed the Tennessee line five days ago, with orders to get into Kentucky to recruit and to burn all cotton they could find. At the time they left, Colonel Jackson was in Senatobia, Miss. Most of Faulkner's men who escaped left without their clothes, arms, or horses. They were receiving recruits in large squads from Dyer, Lauderdale, and Hickman Counties.
I believe our only policy is to burn up these counties. They pay no attention to the oath, feed and guide the rebels. Two negroes led our cavalry to them, guiding them around their pickets. No white man had the pluck to do it. Most of Faulkner's company were asleep. They travel in the night and sleep day-time. North of Dyersburg is another band, 100 strong, waiting to join Faulkner. I expect to trap them before to-morrow morning unless the news of Faulkner's rout gets to them. Faulkner's horse and equipments were taken, and one of the prisoners says he was killed or wounded.
The three prisoners taken are Fielding Bland, who lives within 7 miles of Blandville; Henry Torpley, 6 miles from Feliciana, Hickman County, Ky., and W. S. Bennett, 3 miles from Batimore, Hickman County, Ky. Our loss was 7 men wounded, o mortally. Our cavalry under Major Bush is now following up the scattered band.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. M. DODGE,
Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.
Capt. M. ROCHESTER,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Columbus, Ky.
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HEADQUARTERS, Trenton, Tenn., August 10, 1862.
Captain Peck with 53 men of Sixth Illinois Cavalry attacked Faulkner's company of Jackson's cavalry on Thursday between 3 and 4 o'clock p.m., 5 miles east of Dyersburg, completely surprising and routing them. He reports 20 killed; has sent in 53 of their horses, most of their arms and ammunition, with 3 prisoners. Those that escaped left without their clothes, arms, or horses. Their company roll showed them to be 127 strong. Our loss was 7 wounded, 2 mortally. Their dispatches taken show they, with Porter's band, crossed the Tennessee line five days ago; left rest of Faulkner's cavalry at Senatobia, Miss. They were ordered to burn all cotton west of Tennessee River, and if possible get into Kentucky to recruit their commands. One of the prisoners taken says he saw all of Cheatham's army on their way to Richmond via Chattanooga.
I forwarded dispatches by telegraph and letter to the district headquarters promptly. Will hereafter forward to you as directed. Faulkner's band is used up and we are catching the stragglers from it.
G. M. DODGE,
Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.
Maj. Gen. U.S. GRANT,
Corinth, Miss
[OR Vol. XVI Part1, pp. 29-30]
08 18 1862 Skirmish near Dyersburg, TN, with the rout of small band of rebels
HEADQUARTERS, Trenton, Tenn., August 18, 1862.
Captain Lynch of the Sixth Illinois Cavalry attacked a small band of rebels this morning on the Obion River, 6 miles from Dyersburg, taking all their horses, arms, and ammunition. They abandoned everything. No report of killed and wounded.
Large numbers of rebels are flocking into this county from Missouri and Kentucky, well armed, and forming bands under leaders from Jackson's and Morgan's cavalry. The draft drives them over.
G. M. DODGE,
Brigadier-General.
Maj. Gen U.S. GRANT,
Corinth.
[OR Vol. XVI Part1, pp. 34-35]
01 30 1863 Skirmish at Dyersburg, TN
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES FORCES,
Trenton, Tenn., February 4, 1863.
SIR: I respectfully send you the following report of the skirmish at Dyersburg, of the forces under my command, with [W. A.] Dawson's guerrilla band:
The expedition, consisting of 100 of the Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, under Captains Burbridge and Moffitt, and 38 of the Twenty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Lieutenant Whitehead, left this place at 2 p.m. January 30, in three detachments--the right, under Captain Burbridge, taking the Newbern road; the center, Captain Moffitt, the Dyersburg road; the left, Lieutenant Whitehead, with mounted infantry, taking the Chestnut Bluff road--with orders to concentrate at Dyers-burg as soon as possible.
Captain Moffitt was the first to arrive at Dyersburg, and found the enemy posted in a house at the west end of the bridge across the Forked Deer River. The rebels had been in this position for some time during the day, skirmishing with a detachment of the Third Michigan Cavalry, under Captain Quackenbush, to prevent them from crossing the bridge. It was near midnight when Captain Moffitt arrived, and, finding where the enemy was posted, ordered his men to charge, which they did in gallant style, Captain Moffitt leading the advance, completely routed them, killing 2, wounding 4, and capturing 17, when the rebels broke and fled in every direction. Captain Moffitt was severely wounded in the thigh. This was the only casualty on our side. Captains Burbridge and Quackenbush and Lieutenant Whitehead arrived soon after with their commands, and were sent in different directions in pursuit of the fugitives. The country was completely scoured for several miles in every direction, and every ferry destroyed on the Obion and Forked Deer Rivers that could be found. The search was kept up for three days, when I ordered it discontinued, the men and horses being nearly worn down from hard service and exposure. We captured in all 30 prisoners, 25 horses, and 28 guns, of all kinds, calibers, and descriptions.
Every officer and man did his duty faithfully and with alacrity. Were I to personate, duty would compel me to name every officer and man of the command. One incident will illustrate the temper of the men. Lieutenant Whitehead, commanding the mounted infantry, swam his command across a branch of the Forked Deer rather than march 2 miles to a ford, fearing that he would be behind time. Many of the horses failed on the march, and I allowed the men to take the captured horses and remount. I have taken charge of the horses that had given out on the march and brought them to this place.
I regret to state that Lieutenant Neeley, Third Michigan Cavalry, was accidentally, and, I fear, mortally, wounded in the thigh. The surgeon thinks there is but little hope of his recovery.
I left three companies of the Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, under the command of Captain Burbridge, at Dyersburg, to watch the movements of the rebels and report to me. If Dawson shows himself, we will soon be on his track.
Respectfully, yours,
O. WOOD,
Colonel, Commanding.
Capt. T. H. HARRIS,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., District of Jackson.
[OR Vol. XXIV Part1, p. 335]