To support the attack, the Confederates attempted to move four cannons, taken from Hynson's Texas Battery and Harris's Missouri Battery, onto Shepherd Mountain, but only two of the guns were able to be moved into position due to rough terrain. In the early afternoon, Ewing sent part of the 14th Iowa Infantry forward to scout the Confederate position; it was driven back under heavy fire. Wilson was also sent on detached duty to hold the town of Pilot Knob. The two Confederate artillery pieces on the mountain attempted to shell the fort, but had little success. At about 14:00, the main Confederate attack began. The Confederate attacks would not be well coordinated, allowing Union troops to repulse them individually.