Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 7.djvu/692

Rh Bell's brigade, at first supporting Mabry, was soon put in the front line on Mabry's right. These troops were all dismounted. Chalmers' division was held in reserve, also about 700 infantry under Colonel Lyon.

The plan of attack seemed to be to swing the right first against the enemy, but the Kentucky brigade became first engaged, and was forced to fall back with heavy loss. Chalmers' division, dismounted, was ordered forward, and after Mabry and Bell had been repulsed, Rucker made an assault equally futile. The men behaved with great courage, but were swept away by the fire of a superior and intrenched force, and many fell from exhaustion in the great heat of a July sun. A little after noon the troops fell back and intrenched, but were not molested by the enemy, who contented himself with tearing up the railroad in the vicinity of Tupelo and burning the houses of Harrisburg.

This battle of Harrisburg was a severe blow to the military strength of Generals Lee and Forrest, but they were still full of fight: and on the 15th, it appearing that the enemy would not attack, Buford made a demonstration on his left flank. Soon afterward Smith began a retreat, accounted for in his reports by the exhaustion of rations, and a vigorous pursuit was at once begun. At Old Town creek Buford came up with the Federals in line of battle and was driven back in confusion. McCulloch's brigade was ordered to attack, but being sent in by regiments was speedily repulsed. Here General Forrest and Colonel McCuUoch were both severely wounded, and the command of the forces in front devolved upon General Chalmers. Though the pursuit was continued, there was but slight skirmishing after this engagement.

Forrest estimated his strength on July 14th as not exceeding 5,000. Buford's command, including Mabry, had about 3,200 effectives, Roddey's force hardly exceeded 1,000 or Chalmers' 2,800, or the infantry and