McPherson was able to bring up 22 cannons onto the field, and some of his men forced their way across the creek, making contact with the 50th Tennessee. The Union artillery began to fire upon the exposed position of the 10th and 30th Tennessee (Consolidated). Knowing that a retreat would break the Confederate line, and that his men would suffer casualties if they remained steady, the unit's commander, Colonel Randal William MacGavock, ordered an attack against the 7th Missouri Infantry Regiment, which had recently crossed the creek. MacGavock was killed early in the charge, but his men were able to drive the Missourians back before a counterattack drove them back to their starting point. Gregg did not know that his left flank was held by the 50th Tennessee, and ordered the 41st Tennessee in that direction. At the same time, the 50th Tennessee had begun moving on its own to the right, where the sounds of battle were coming from; the two regiments essentially switched places.