At the Forks of Middle Creek, Marshall established his command post on ground that gave him a strong view of the valley and options for both approach and retreat. The lower valley to the northeast formed his route of approach, while the left fork of the creek to the south offered a route of retreat. Expecting Garfield to pursue him up the creek from Prestonsburg, and believing reports that Cranor’s 40th Ohio Infantry was advancing toward Prestonsburg from Salyersville, Marshall positioned his troops at the Forks of Middle Creek in hopes of intercepting Cranor and defeating him before he could join Garfield. Cranor instead took the road to Paintsville, followed Garfield to Prestonsburg, and joined him while the battle was in progress. Marshall placed Moore’s 29th Virginia Infantry and Williams’s 5th Kentucky Infantry along the ridge to his right, Jeffress’s artillery battery on the ridge behind the Forks so it could sweep the bottom land along the creek, and Trigg’s 54th Virginia Infantry behind the artillery in reserve. On his left, he posted two dismounted companies of the 1st Kentucky Cavalry under Clay and Thomas on a ridge running north from the apple orchard, while three more companies of the 1st Kentucky under Shawhan, Cameron, and Stone were held in reserve on his immediate right next to the artillery. Holliday’s cavalry company guarded the supply train, and Marshall directed his forces from a position near his four artillery pieces, believing they would play a decisive role in the battle.