On Sunday, October 2, 1864, Union Gen. Stephen G. Burbridge arrived behind the hills near Cedar Branch with more than 5,000 troops from Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan, including several hundred African-American soldiers of the 5th and 6th Colored Cavalry, aiming to destroy Saltville's salt works. Opposing them along a Confederate battle line stretching more than two miles on the bluffs by the North Fork of the Holston River were more than 2,000 Confederates, many of them Kentuckians facing opponents from their home state. Around noon, Union Gen. Edward Hobson attacked the river ford in three columns, one descending Sanders Hill, one moving along the Holston River, and one advancing from the base of Little Mountain across Broady Bottom to avoid Confederate cannon and rifle fire. After wading across the ford, Union troops fought to the top of Cemetery Hill and pushed the Confederates toward the back of the hill into Elizabeth Cemetery, but Confederate reserves reinforced the line. After 15 minutes of close combat, often within 50 yards, the Union troops were driven back across the river. Confederate Col. Edwin Trimble was killed in the cemetery while directing his men's fire. By 5 p.m., firing had ceased along the battle line except for sporadic Confederate artillery fire. Federal losses in killed, wounded and captured were approximately 290, and Confederate losses were approximately 160. During the night, Burbridge's command began a hasty retreat toward Kentucky, leaving behind its dead and many wounded, including African-American troops. The next morning, some of these wounded and captured troops were murdered in what has been called the Saltville Massacre.