On August 24, 1864 Confederate Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest conducted a daring raid on the Union garrison in Memphis. Taking advantage of a thick dawn fog and claiming to be a Union patrol returning with prisoners, the Confederates overwhelmed the sentries. Advancing into the streets of the city, Forrest split his cavalry to pursue separate missions and nearly captured three Union generals. Within two hours Forrest had destroyed telegraph communications and withdrew with 500 prisoners and large quantities of supplies and horses.