Col. Peabody was still worried about possible presence of Confederates in his front and about midnight rousted Major Powell and ordered him to take out a large patrol at 3 a.m. and make another reconnaissance of Seay Field.
Powell gathered 250 men from the 25th Missouri and 12th Michigan. they went to Seay Field and then beyond to Fraley Field.
There, he ran into Confederate cavalry pickets who fired three shots, then fled. Powell formed a skirmish line then advanced.
After 200 yards, they encountered the pickets of the 3rd Mississippi who also fled. next up was the entire Mississippi regiment. The fight was on. The opening engagement of the Battle of Shiloh lasted from 5 a.m. to 6:15 a.m..
Powell's men were forced from the field and the Battle of Shiloh was underway.
--Old Secesh
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