Showdown at Kingston: July 23

On the night of July 22nd, the 4th Indiana Volunteer infantry was in Kingston with a section of artillery. On the morning of the 23rd, they prepared for move east to Sagarville, when the enemy appeared: A battalion of engineers armed as infantry and a section of artillery. A regiment of Confederate infantry was also reported to be advancing from the south.  The Federals remained in Kingston, knowing that the 3rd Indiana Volunteers was on its way from Mount Vernon to the east. The day's action would be in Kingston.

The right section of Battery "A," 1st Michigan Light Artillery faces south and fires on the 3rd Tennessee Infantry (CSA) as it advanced on Kingston up the Tavern Road. 

As the Federal artillery fires to the south, the 4th Indiana Infantry faces westward down the Kingston Road where the 2nd Battalion Tennessee Engineers and an unidentified section of artillery advances. 

As the artillery in town starts firing, the 3rd Indiana Infantry marches east on the Kingston Road in support. 

The 3rd Tennessee forms into battle line at the southern end of town and moves forward against the Union guns in the face of canister fire. 

Once in range, the 3rd Tennessee opens fire on Gun No. 3 and Gun No. 4 of Battery "A," 1st Michigan Light Artillery. 

At a church on the western side of town, the 4th Indiana engages with the 2nd Battalion Tennessee Engineers. The engineers are deployed along a stone wall at an orchard. 

Back in the center of town, the 3rd Tennessee charges the guns. Gun No. 3 fires its last round of canister and starts to retreat as the enemy closes in. 

Gun No. 4 is captured by the 3rd Tennessee and wheeled behind the lines as the Confederates take the center of town. A very senior Confederate office was seen encouraging the men and had a horse shot out from under him. 

The 4th Indiana starts to waver around the time the 3rd Tennessee occupies the center of town, threatening their rear. 

The 3rd Indiana pushes into the center of town to link up with the 4th Indiana and exchanges fire with the 3rd Tennessee at close range.  The Federal line wavers and then withdraws northward to Black Horse Tavern, leaving the Confederates in control of Kingston.