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A precursor to the battle of Chickamauga, the Tullahoma Campaign was marked by severe weather and one of the war's most gallant cavalry charges. In his official report dated July 8, 1863, David Stanley, Major-General and Chief of Cavalry, wrote, "That day (June 24th) the rain set in, which has continued to this present date, and which, converting the whole surface of the country into a quagmire, has rendered this one of the most arduous, laborious, and distressing campaigns upon man and beast I have ever witnessed".
In early 1863, President Lincoln and secretary of War Stanton were anxious to press a general offensive against General Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee, which was encamped near Tullahoma, Tennessee after the battle of Murfreesboro.
The Tullahoma Campaign resulted, and in the battle of Shelbyville, Tennessee on June 27, 1863, Captain Charles C. Davis led the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry in a charge which stormed a confederate battery in the town square. For this action, Major Davis won the regiment's only Medal of Honor.
Having broke through confederate lines at Guy's Gap (north of Shelbyville) the Seventh, along with elements of Robert H. G. Minty's brigade, had advanced southward on the Shelbyville Pike towards the town square.
Shelbyville Map (Click on image to enlarge)
In his official report, Lieut. Col. William B. Sipes wrote, "The advance having come within range of the enemy's artillery in Shelbyville, I directed the prisoners to be taken to the rear, and the regiment, which by this time was necessarily much scattered, to concentrate at a given point. The dismounted skirmishers, having rejoined their horses, came forward, under Major Davis, in good order, and I halted him on the road, there to remain until the regiment was reformed. While passing along the road, gathering up my command, I was informed by Major Davis that he had been ordered by Colonel Minty to charge into Shelbyville. I, at once went forward, saw Colonel Minty, and directed the command I had to prepare for the charge. Major Davis' command was placed in front, led by the most gallant officer.
The force I then had ready for action did not certainly exceed 150 men, composed of companies G, B, L and M, under Major Davis, numbering less than 75 men, and parts of A, F, H and I, not 75 more. This force was moved forward at a walk until within a mile of the public square of the town, when, covered by the smoke of two guns discharged for the purpose, the charge was commenced. Never did men move more gallantly and daringly into the face of the most imminent danger than did this little force.
The street up which it moved (Shelbyville Pike) was perfectly straight, gradually ascending to the courthouse, where the enemy had four guns planted so as to command it completely, and these supported by a brigade of cavalry. To look upon these preparations, it seemed that utter destruction was inevitable to all those who dare advance, and yet, with sabers drawn, and with shouts of defiance, the men rushed onward, never faltering for an instant, and, to all appearance, utterly destitute of any apprehension of danger. The enemy's artillery fired but 3 rounds as wee approached, one of which was of grape and canister, which fell short; the others of shell and solid shot, which did no execution except the killing of 1 man and 2 horses. As we neared the square, their cavalry fled precipitately, after firing a few scattering shots, and their artillery following, the pursuit commenced.
Near the railroad depot, in the town, their first piece of artillery was overtaken and captured, with but little resistance. A little farther on, the second piece was taken after a sharp fight, and at the bridge over the Duck River, the third piece was secured. This piece was not removed back to town, as were the others, because a wheel horse had been killed by one of my men to prevent it's escape. It was left at the bridge, while the advance continued on in pursuit of the enemy, following them more than 2 miles on the south side of the river. Major Davis, with his few remaining men, had crossed the river more than ten minutes before any assistance came up to that point.
The only stand made by the enemy was at the railroad depot, and in an open space to the left of it. Up to this, my men had only used the saber, but here I ordered them to use their firearms, and many of them did so with good effect.
The only casualties I have to report were at Shelbyville, where I lost 2 officers and 3 enlisted men killed and 1 officer and 10 men wounded. Lieutenant Rhoads and Lieutenant (Sgt. Francis W. Reed) were the officers who fell in the charge, and they yielded up their lives as gallantly as ever soldiers fell in a good cause" (Official Records)
In a letter to the parents of Francis W. Reed on July 22, 1863, comrade Henry Snyder wrote, ".. When we were within one mile of Shelbyville we found that the rebels were strongly posted in the town with four pieces of artillery. The guns were posted in the town or courthouse square, with a heavy support of mounted infantry or cavalry. As soon as Col. Minty, our brigade commander, got to the front and saw the state of things, he ordered a charge to be made down the road leading directly to the enemy's position. It was ordered that the 3rd battalion of our regiment should lead the charge. We were all well pleased when we heard it. Francis was at my side. When we started, he seemed happy and was cheerful.
The signal determined for our starting was firing of two of our cannon, the signal given, and we went through the smoke of our guns. As soon as the rebels saw that we were charging they directed their fire into our advancing column. Little damage was done by their artillery. Only one man was killed by it. He was alongside of me when he fell. Before we got near enough to do any execution with our sabers, the rebels turned and ran. We followed them. We soon commenced taking prisoners.
After we had followed about 200 yards, there were some of them turned and gave us a volley. It was then that Francis received his mortal wound. He lived but a very few minutes. One of the men of the company seen him fall, and jumped off his horse and picked him up. He asked Francis whether he though it was all over with him. The answer was, "Oh, I guess not." He asked him a few minutes afterwards whether he could speak, and he answered yes, which was the last word he spoke. He died almost as soon as he had uttered the word.
After the fight was over I heard that Francis was killed. I went immediately where he lay (which was in a warehouse) and you cannot imagine how I felt when I washed his face, breast and hands. He was covered with blood. After I had washed him I combed his hair and closed his eyes and mouth, which was all that I could do for my bosom friend. I would have put clean cloths on him, but his horse run into the enemy's rank with all that Francis possessed in the army.
I could not bury him as it was now night and early in the morning we left the place, our presence being required elsewhere. Col. Sipes, however, paid an undertaker fifty dollars to make coffins for, and to bury all the dead of our regiment, which number was five.
I have Francis' pocket knife, comb, and handkerchief, which I will endeavor to keep until I return, when I will place in your hands. I trust the war will soon be over so that I can go home, but I cannot return with my friend.