In 1863, Bloodgood was serving as a lieutenant colonel in the 22nd Wisconsin Infantry, in the Middle Tennessee Operations. With a small detachment, he was given command of 400 men at Brentwood, a station on the Nashville & Decatur Railroad. On the morning of March 25, 1863, Confederate Brigadier General, Nathan B. Forrest, approached the town. Forrest demanded surrender, however, Bloodgood refused. Within a half hour, Forrest had surrounded the Federals with a large force. Bloodgood decided to surrender.
