On November 24, 1863, the Confederate cavalry divisions of Brig. Gen William Martin and Brig. Gen. Frank Armstrong under Maj. Gen. Joe Wheeler conducted a reconnaissance in force against the Union forces in Kingston Tennessee consisting of the First Brigade, Second Division, XXIII Corps (Col. Samuel Mott), the First Tennessee Infantry (Col. Robert Byrd), Second Brigade, 4th Division, XXIII Corps, and the 2nd Tennessee Cavalry (Col. Daniel Ray). Advancing on the Old Knoxville Road, Wheeler’s cavalry engaged the Union force along a ridge east of town. Discovering that the Union force was larger than expected, Wheeler withdrew his cavalry back to Knoxville after a 7-hour engagement. Confederate casualties were approximately 25; reported Union losses were 1 killed and 14 wounded in the 118th Ohio Infantry.
Fort Sanders
As part of Confederate Lieut. Gen. James Longstreet’s strategy to capture Knoxville and drive the Union IX and XXIII Corps