To the east, Forrest's divisions under Brigadier…

To the east, Forrest's divisions under Brigadier Generals Abraham Buford and William H. Jackson force Hatch's division out of the Lawrenceburg area and drive them back toward Pulaski.

Early on November 24, Schofield begins marching his two infantry corps north to Columbia.

Forrest pursues aggressively with the division of Brigadier General James R. Chalmers, who occupies Mount Pleasant and hits Capron's men repeatedly as he forces them north.

Buford and Jackson drive Hatch north toward Lynnville and capture a number of prisoners, but the Confederate cavalry is unable to prevent the division of Brigadier General Jacob D. Cox from reaching Columbia.

Stanley's corps complete a thirty-mile march from Pulaski to reinforce him.

Together they begin constructing an arc of trenches just south of the town.

On the morning of November 24, Forrest's cavalry begins probing attacks in an attempt to break through two lines of fortifications.

The Confederates bombard he lines with artillery and a number of skirmishes occurs, but it becomes apparent to the Union defenders that only a single infantry division with some dismounted cavalry are participating in the attacks and that Hood is merely demonstrating, intending to cross the Duck River either upstream or downstream and cut off the Union force from Thomas, who is assembling the remainder of his force in Nashville.