About noon on February 12, 1862, when Forrest’s troops withdrew toward the fort, Colonel Richard J. Oglesby’s Brigade of Brigadier General John A. McClernand’s Division deployed in line with the 8th Illinois on the right and resumed the advance behind the cavalry. As the advanced guard under Major George A. Bacon of the 30th Illinois ascended the ridge along this road, Forrest’s cavalry on the other side of the hill formed to renew the attack. Mudd’s cavalry held the road where it crosses the crest of the hill about 200 yards beyond this point, and the advance guard deployed abreast with Mudd’s detachment. The 8th Illinois, in column of platoons, took position as a reserve on the right of this road, covering its immediate front with a line of skirmishers. O’Hartnett’s cavalry occupied the high ridge to the right while Noble’s cavalry covered the front to the left, and the 18th Illinois formed in column of companies at this point. The remainder of McClernand’s Division halted farther to the rear in order of march. The attack by the Confederate cavalry did not materialize, and upon General Grant’s order McClernand’s Division resumed its march and followed the road branching off at this point along the left of these flats toward Indian Creek and Fort Donelson.