Iowa 39th Volunteer Infantry, Company A (Union)

Parker's Cross Roads

As Brig. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest's expedition into West Tennessee neared its conclusion, the Union brigades of Col. Cyrus L. Dunham and Col. John W. Fuller, attempted to cut Forrest off from withdrawing across the Tennessee River. Dunham's and Forrest's routes on December 31, 1862, brought them into contact at Parker's Cross Roads. Skirmishing began about 9:00 am, with Forrest taking a position along a wooded ridge northwest of Dunham at the intersection. Confederate artillery gained an early advantag…READ MORE