1)
On his way to Nashville, Hood detached Forrest and his cavalry with Bates' infantry (which, interestingly, included Thomas Benton Smith and his brigade) to Murfreesboro to deal with the Union threat to his right. This was also his planned retreat route. Forrest's commanders included Abraham Buford, Tyree Bell, Red Jackson, and Frank C Armstrong - the best commanders of his best cavalry. It was an amazingly bad command decision considering that Hood planned to attack the heavily fortified Union positions in Nashville without them.
Forrest did not shine at this fight - in fact, it was the first time troops under his command routed. Bates' infantry men suddenly and without much reason, broke for the rear in confusion. Forrest ordered them to halt, swung his sabre at them (and they bobbed like ducks because they didn't know if they were getting the flat or the sharp of it!) In the course of this route Forrest observed the color bearer running to the rear with the flag, the men following him. He shouted for the color bearer to stop, he didn't, and Forrest then shot him dead. He picked up the flag and tried to rally the men. "Rally! Rally! For God's sake, rally!" Too late. Third Murfreesboro was not Forrest's best fight and he was beaten by Robert Milroy of all people but he did succeed in his primary objective - to keep the retreat route open. This proved to be vital within days.
Major General James H Wilson was Forrest's main opponent, and he was a formidable one. He had been harassing Forrest for some time whenever he could to prevent him from harassing Sherman, who was busy in Georgia. The last man Sherman wanted breathing down his neck was Forrest (Wheeler didn't bother him a bit) and Wilson was determined Forrest would not get that chance. In short, Hood had left himself his second string cavalry and deprived himself of the best.
When Forrest received the news of Hood's defeat at Nashville, he said it was a disgraceful affair - which it certainly was - and immediately moved toward the city. He arrived December 18.