eneral Grierson, came up with the
enemy, charged upon them, and drove them back upon their infantry posted
near Brice's Cross Roads. General Grierson, needing support, sent back
for the infantry, which was several miles in his rear. The day was
intensely hot, and the roads, from constant rains, in very bad
condition. However, Sturgis marched the troops up at double-quick to the
position where General Grierson was holding the confederates in check.
The infantry had become so exhausted when they reached the scene of
action, that they were unable to fight as they otherwise would have
done. Sturgis, either ignorant of what was going on or incapacitated for
the work, heightened the disorder at the front by permitting his train
of over two hundred wagons to be pushed up close to the troops, thus
blocking their rear, and obstructing their manoeuvring; finally the
wagons were parked a short distance from the lines and in sight of the
foe. The troops exhausted by the rapid march, without proper formation
or commanders, had been brought up to the support of the cavalry, who
were hotly engaged with the enemy, whose desperation was increased at
the sight of the Phalanx regiments. General Beauford had joined Forrest,
augmenting his force 4,000. Sturgis' force numbered about 12,000, in
cavalry, artillery and infantry. Forrest was well provided with
artillery, which was up early and took a position in an open field
enfilading the Federal line, which fought with a determination worthy of
a better fate than that which befel it.

A confederate writer says:

"At early dawn on the 10th Lyon took the advance, with
Morton's artillery close behind, Rucker and Johnson
following. Meanwhile, Bell, as we have stated, at Rienzi,
eight miles further north, was ordered to move up at a trot.
The roads, soaked with water from recent continuous heavy
rains and so much cut up by the previous passage of cavalry
and trains, greatly retarded the progress of the artillery,
so that Rucker and Johnson soon passed us. On reaching old
Carrollville, five miles northeast of Brice's Cross Roads,
heavy firing could be heard just on ahead. Forrest, as was
his custom, had passed to the front of the entire column
with his escort.

"He had, however, ordered Lieutenant R. J. Black, a dashing
young officer, temporarily attached to his staff, to take a
detachment of men from the Seventh Tenness