| Barney's unit was constantly involved in small skirmishes with the Confederates while occupying the area. On November 30, 1863, a detail of the 3rd Cavalry led by Captain Muzzey was ordered to move south on the road to Baton Rouge. The day before a smaller group of 30 had left Plains Store to repair telegraph lines cut by the Rebels. Muzzey's unit, including Private McKnight, rode out to offer protection for the returning repair squad. Unfortunately a Confederate force of 150 waited in a planned ambush just one half mile below Plains Store. | |
| Captain James W. Hervey's letter of December 7, 1863 to his wife describes the resulting skirmish. "....The advance guard received a volley from a force of 150 rebels in ambush. The volley was accompanied by unearthly yells, which frightened the horses, rendering them quite unmanageable. ...Captain Muzzey tried to rally his men, but as the Rebs now rushed out of the woods in overwhelming numbers and endeavored to surround them, they took to the woods. We lost two killed and three mortally wounded; one lieutenant wounded and taken prisoner, together with four privates. ....(This event) will always be remembered as among the saddest of our experience as a soldier."
Three of the five men captured were from Company G"
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