Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest's cavalry routed Brigadier General Benjamin Grierson's Federal cavalry one-half mile east of the Cross Roads and the Federal infantry formed one-quarter mile east of the Cross Roads. A strong defense at the Cross Roads by several Union infantry regiments and artillery units allowed the infantry brigades of Colonels Alexander Wilkin and George B. Hoge to retreat west up the Ripley Road. Lieutenant Colonel Andrew W. Rodgers of the 81st Illinois Volunteer Infantry recalled that at the Cross Roads, with artillery support, his men held their position for more than two hours in a stand-up fight, repulsing repeated charges with grape, canister, and musketry until they were almost surrounded and were the last to leave the field. The Union defense at the Cross Roads was then broken by repeated Confederate charges and by Colonel Barteau's flanking movement threatening the Union rear. Forrest said the steady advance of his men and the concentrated, well-directed, rapid fire from his batteries threw the Union forces back and began their retreat or rout. The 72nd Ohio Infantry, the 6th Indiana Artillery, and several companies of the 55th United States Colored Infantry defended the Tishomingo Creek Bridge along with remnants of retreating Union regiments. Forrest reported that abandoned vehicles blocked the road before Tishomingo Creek, slowing his artillery, but that the pursuit continued until dark and many wagons loaded with ammunition and bacon were captured before they could be destroyed. He also reported that in the bottom on the south prong of the Hatchie River the Federals abandoned the rest of their wagon train, all their wounded, and fourteen pieces of artillery. At Ripley, about 8 a.m., the enemy was found in line of battle, but at the appearance of additional forces retreated again, and for the rest of the pursuit offered no organized resistance, retreating in complete disorder and throwing away guns, clothing, and other impediments to flight. Forrest called it one of the most complete victories of the war and credited the valor of his troops.