Dibble Takes Holly Springs - May 23rd

Col. William Dibble's two Confederate cavalry regiments observed Brig. Gen. Augustus Kraft's brigade of three regiments near Kelly's Store. In the afternoon, the balance of Dibble's Brigade came up, having been on the march from Hampton. As soon as they arrived, Dibble launched into Kraft and they two brigades fought along a static line in the field just southwest of the junction at Kelly's Store.

The 19th Missouri Cavalry (US) was in the center of Kraft's line and was the first to give way under enemy fire. The 10th Iowa was deployed across the road to Beech Creek on the right of the line and was the second of Kraft's regiments to retreat from the line. The 15th Indiana was in a small patch of woods on the left and was holding up well, but withdrew before it could be overwhelmed by Dibble's men.

Kraft's Brigade is retreating towards Princeton. The 25th Illinois Cavalry is falling back from Hampton and reports Confederate cavalry following it northward towards Princeton.