On August 27, 1863, the Federal army was advancing along the Military Road toward Little Rock when its Cavalry Division of 6,000 men under Gen. John W. Davidson attempted a crossing here and was met by a Confederate force of 4,000 under Gen. John S. Marmaduke. After burning the bridge, the Confederates defended the crossing under heavy fire throughout the day. Several attempts at crossing failed, and the Federals withdrew at sunset and two days later crossed the Bayou five miles southward. Little Rock ultimately fell on September 10, 1863.