 Meanwhile , Hood ordered Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee 's corps on a march around the Union left flank , had Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler 's cavalry march near Sherman 's supply line , and had Maj. Gen. Benjamin Cheatham 's corps attack the Union front . However , it took longer than expected for Hardee to get his men into position , and , during that time , McPherson had correctly deduced a possible threat to his left flank , and sent XVI Corps , his reserve , to help strengthen it . Hardee 's men met this other force , and the battle began . Although the initial Confederate attack was repulsed , the Union left flank began to retreat . About this time , McPherson , who had ridden to the front to observe the battle , was shot and killed by Confederate infantry . 
