On the afternoon of March 15, Judson
Kilpatrick's cavalry came up against Lt. Gen. William Hardee's
corps-consisting of Taliaferro's and McLaw's infantry divisions and
Wheeler's dismounted cavalry-deployed across the Raleigh Road near
Smithville. After feeling out the Confederate defenses, Kilpatrick
withdrew and called for infantry support. During the night, four
divisions of the XX Corps arrived to confront the Confederates. At dawn,
March 16, the Federals advanced on a division front, driving back
skirmishers, but they were stopped by the main Confederate line and a
counterattack. Mid-morning, the Federals renewed their advance with
strong reinforcements and drove the Confederates from two lines of
works, but were repulsed at a third line. Late afternoon, the Union XIV
Corps began to arrive on the field but was unable to deploy before dark
due to the swampy ground. Hardee retreated during the night after
holding up the Union advance for nearly two days.