In the late evening of August 3, 1863, Colonel John L. Logan's Confederate cavalry, 500 men, approached from the northwest by way of the Jackson-Woodville Road, and their scouts soon subdued the Federal pickets with the aid of local residents. Confederate forces consisted of the 11th/17th Arkansas Mounted Infantry, 9th Tennessee Cavalry Battalion, Gant's, and the following Mississippi cavalry battalions: Garlan's, Stockdale's, Cage's, Hughes', and also Roberts' Battery. They deployed in what was mostly a wooded area just west of the college grounds. The Federal forces numbered between 350 and 500 men. Their commander, Lieutenant Moore Hanham, deployed this force in a line of battle facing East College Street. The Federal line extended from the west wing dormitory to near Pine Street. The 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry anchored the line's northern end. The 2nd Vermont Light Artillery was placed at the formation's center. The remainder of the line was filled with men of the 1st, 3rd, and 6th Corps D'Afrique. The Confederates placed Roberts' Mississippi Battery 200-300 yards away. Around five p.m. Logan's men struck directly at the Federals. A flanking movement was also sent around the northern end of the Federal line. The Federals quickly fell back to the southeast where a new line formed briefly near the southern end of the east-wing dormitory. They soon fled to a ravine 150 yards to the south. The terrain prevented the Vermont Battery from following the other Federal units. The Vermonters were forced to gallop directly toward the attacking Confederates in hopes of reaching East College Street and fleeing southward through town.