At the Battle of Salem Cemetery, Confederate Gen. Nathan B. Forrest commanded Col. B.J. Biffle's Cavalry Battalion of about 400 men, Col. T.G. Woodward's two companies of Kentucky Cavalry, and Capt. S.L. Freeman's artillery of two smooth bore cannon and one 3-inch Rodman steel ordnance rifle captured in battle at Lexington, Tennessee, the previous day. Federal Col. Aldolph Engelmann commanded 500 men of the 43rd and 61st Illinois Infantry and units of the 2nd West Tennessee, 5th Ohio, and 11th Illinois Cavalry. The Federals were forced back toward Jackson.