On June 23, 1863 in what would be the beginning of the Tullahoma campaign, Maj. Gen. Williams Rosecrans (Army of the Cumberland) feigned an attack on Shelbyville and advanced troops under Maj. Gen. George Thomas through gaps in the ridges south of Murfreesboro. On June 24 Col. John Wilder’s “Lightening Brigade” forced the 3rd Kentucky cavalry from Hoover’s Gap at Beech Grove. Thomas’ troops subsequently encountered the brigades of Brig. Gen. Bushrod Johnson and Brig. Gen. William Bates (Army of Tennessee). Fighting continued through the 26th until the Confederates withdrew toward Tullahoma.
Centerville
Following three days of engaging Confederate Cavalry numbering about 1,000 men commanded by Col. Jacob Biffle, 250 men of the