The 3rd Division was ordered to march up the Tombigbee River to Whistler Station about 6 miles northeast of the city on the Mobile and Ohio railroad. The Union troops marched through the city and crowds of people of all ages came out to see them.
After leaving the city the soldiers were allowed to forage for food, including cattle, geese, turkeys, and chickens. And so many foraging parties went out along the route and were able to collect a bounty of live animals that would help sustain the soldiers.
They reached Whistler Station about 1 o'clock this afternoon. The advanced units found some Confederates there who had set fire to the buildings and were tearing up the machine shops and burning bridges. They were driven beyond Eight Mile Creek, where they joined a force of about 500 cavalry.
As the rest of the Union Army came up, they dropped their knapsacks and double-timed for the front. A brisk fight ensured, but the cavalry was too quick and made their escape. Casualties on both sides were minimal. This would be the final engagement the 77th Illinois fought in the Civil War.
They Union soldiers camped around Whistler Station for the next several days.
