On December 29, 1863 Union Brig. Gen. Samuel Sturgis divided his forces sending Col. LaGrange toward Dandridge while he held a line at Mossy Creek.  That morning Confederate cavalry under Brig. Gen. William Martin successfully attacked Sturgis’ position until LaGrange returned to join the battle and drive the Confederates back to Talbot’s Station and Panther Creek.  Sturgis held the position at Mossy Creek until operations resumed at Dandridge in January, 1864.