On this day the 16th Ohio left its camp at Portland (Oak Hill), Ohio, at 7:00am. The regiment marched 12 miles and made an early camp on the banks of Raccoon Creek. At this time they were also provided with more new tents.

Confederate General Floyd (believed to be Major General John B. Floyd), with a force of several thousand men, had captured and occupied Charleston, Virginia. Charleston had an important salt works, a mineral vital to the Confederacy. Additionally, Charleston, under Rebel control, was a threat to the Union's critical navigation on the Ohio River. Reports indicated that Floyd was fortifying Charleston and areas south. The Federal command decided that Floyd and his Confederate force should be removed from Charleston, thus protecting the Ohio River and denying the precious salt to the Confederacy.

Wide and close view modern day maps of 16th Ohio's march toward Gallipolis, Ohio, October 21, 1862 (positions approximated):