Ordered to raid north from Mississippi by Maj. Gen. Sterling Price, commanding the Army of the West, to help prevent U.S. Grant from reinforcing Buell in Tennessee, Brig. Gen. Frank C. Armstrong's Cavalry Brigade struck Col. Elias S. Dennis' Federal force here, which consisted of two cavalry troops, a battery, and two infantry regiments. After four hours of fighting, during which they suffered heavy losses while taking 213 prisoners and two fieldpieces, the raiders withdrew with their mission accomplished.