The Undine continued to fire on the batteries for nearly three hours, but nearing the end of its ammunition and engine disabled, the ship attempted to surrender. This was unobserved by the Confederates who continued firing so the commander tried unsuccessfully to destroy his ship.
The Undine was taken intact as were the two transports and could be put to good use ferrying Confederate troops across the Tennessee River.
The attacking troops were operating in territory long under Union control and were a part of general Nathan Bedford Forrest's cavalry, who were attempting to cross the river to join forces with general Hood for the large-scale Confederate assault on Tennessee. By this drive into Tennessee, Hood and Forrest hoped to sever General Sherman's supply lines and force him to abandon his march across Georgia.
--Old B-R'er
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