Small Brigade Action at Strawderman - July 12

Strawderman has already been the site for two small skirmishes, as a regiment of Federal infantry has twice repulsed a probe by a Confederate cavalry battalion from the south. Fresh from a victory the previous day at Newtown, Brigadier General Simon B. Buckner has now advanced his small brigade of two Kentucky regiments supported by a section of artillery against Strawderman, approaching from the east. The Union force has been re-enforced by another infantry regiment, making it a demi-brigade under Colonel Benjamin F. Smith.

The Federal infantry deployed on the east end of Strawderman as Buckner's men advanced across the open fields to their front. Although they appear to have inferior weapons, the Union men opened fire first, with the Confederates advancing slightly and opening fire at just over 100 yards. At Newtown, Buckner's artillery moved away from the infantry fight and deployed far to the rear on a hill, firing ineffectively. This time, the artillery has advanced with the infantry and then deployed to its immediate left rear (AI did this) in support. The artillery has started firing canister into the Union left.