James D. Porter, Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 7.1, Tennessee
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

At 7 a. m. of the 14th, General Lee ordered his forces forward to the attack. General Forrest reported the position ‘almost impregnable,’ and when General Buford received his order to advance, he ‘modestly expressed the opinion that the attack should not be a direct one, that a direct charge was what the enemy most desired, and for which he was strongly posted, both by nature and art.’ Victory was scarcely possible, as the troops fought by fragments, so that brigades were worsted or sadly cut to pieces in detail.

In the battle of the 14th, Roddey's division was placed on the right, Mabry's brigade on the left, Crossland's in the center, supported by Bell; Chalmers' and Lyon's divisions were held in reserve. According to Forrest's report, General Lee gave the order to advance and directed him to swing the right around upon the enemy's left. Repairing to the right and reaching the front, he found that Crossland's brigade had been rashly precipitated forward and was retiring under a ‘murderous fire.’ At this point the Federals were strong in numbers, ‘in an impregnable position.’ A new line was formed and occupied by Roddey and Crossland, and the battle was closed so far as they were concerned. Meantime Bell, Rucker and Mabry were steadily advancing, driving in the Federal skirmishers; but when these troops gained a position within sixty yards of the main line of defense, they were in turn driven back with considerable slaughter. McCulloch moved up and covered their retreat, but the object of the expedition led by General Smith had been accomplished. He had won a victory, compelling the Confederates to fall back to a strong position where they could repulse an attack.

The Federal general withdrew from his line of fortifications about noon of the 15th and commenced his return, the unconquered Forrest following. At Old Town creek he found Chalmers and Buford hotly engaged. The position of the Federal rear guard was forced by Bell and