At an early hour on April 28, 1863, Colonel James Keigwin
ordered forward a combat patrol to ascertain if Lt. Colonel Isaac F. Harrison's
Confederate cavalrymen were in position behind Choctaw Bayou and thus still a menace to
the bridges over Phelps and Clark bayous. Harrison's troopers were found in a strong
position behind Choctaw Bayou with their right flank resting on Lake Bruin. The
Confederates also had a battery of four guns emplaced on a point of land jutting out into
the lake. Keigwin brought up his infantry and placed two 10-pounder Rodmans in position.
The Union cannon roared into action and sent the Confederate cavalrymen scurring to the
rear. Federal skirmishers quickly advanced across an open field and moved into position
along the stream bank from where they issued a punishing fire against the Confederate
artillerymen. After a hour, the Southerners limbered up their guns and withdrew toward St.
Joseph. Satisfied that he had removed the threat to the bridges and having no orders to
bridge Choctaw Bayou, Keigwin did not pursue. The small Federal force marched to Winter
Quarters and bivouacked for the night.
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