Rematch at Strawderman - August 3, 1861

On August 3rd, an engagement took place at Strawderman that was essentially a rematch of the one that took place on July 18. Only this time the Confederate infantry in town (2nd Kentucky) did not have the support of a cavalry battalion on their left. The attacking force under Benjamin F. Smith (now promoted to Brigadier General) was composed of the same two infantry regiments that were in the July 18th engagement: The 2nd and 3rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Aside from the change in Smith's rank, there are some other changes in the Federal force that had advanced from Parson's Gap. The 3rd Ohio has thrown away their white havelocks worn earlier in their service, and both Federal regiments are better armed than the last time they met the 2nd Kentucky at Strawderman.

The 2nd Kentucky Infantry in Strwaderman opens fire on Ohio infantry advancing from Parson's Gap. 

The 2nd Ohio deploys, opens fire, and starts to advance against the 2nd Kentucky. 

Initially, the 3rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry (on the Union right) is kept in reserve.

Brigadier General Benjamin F. Smith eventually commits the 3rd Ohio in on the right, in an effort to dislodge the Confederate regiment in town. 

The 2nd Kentucky takes heavy fire from the 2nd Ohio. 

The 3rd Ohio gains a foothold at the northern edge of Strawderman, and fires into the 2nd Kentucky's left flank. 

The pressure being too much, Colonel Frank Maney orders the 2nd Kentucky to retreat and withdraw to Hogbin's Store to the south. 

Confederates Hang on to Strawderman (July 18th)

A Union force of two Ohio infantry regiments moved against Strawderman from Parson's Gap on July 18th. They found a Kentucky infantry regiment supported by a battalion of Tennessee cavalry holding the town. The Federals advanced and engaged, but could not get a foothold in the town. Eventually, the Ohioans fell back in good order and then withdrew back toward Parson's Gap.

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.

Probing Towards Strawderman (Again) - July 9

A battalion of Tennessee Cavalry advances for a second time to probe the Federal line in the area of Strawderman. It is met by a regiment of Ohio infantry. A section of artillery was also arriving from the east on the Kingston Road and deployed on a hill north of town to engage.  The Ohio infantry moved out of town and into the hay field west of the Clinton Pike to aggressively engaged the enemy horsemen as the guns unlimbered and opened fire.

Showdown at Strawderman - July 7th

Fresh off a victory at Hogbin's Store on July 6th, a Confederate cavalry battalion pursued retreating Federal infantry to Strawderman on July 7th. The cavalry met the infantry from the previous day, joined by another battalion of infantry. As the cavalry approached the village of Strawderman and engaged, the infantry left the cover of an orchard to close in and fire with their smoothbore muskets. The other Federal battalion then advanced and opened on the Confederate flank, forcing the Rebel cavalrymen to withdraw to Hogbin's Store.