On July 4, 1864, a small brigade of Confederate cavalry under Col. Robert C. Wood attacked a Union force made up of the Mississippi Marine Brigade and two regiments of United States Colored Troops on an expedition from Rodney. Although the Marine Brigade was routed, the two USCT regiments, composed of former slaves from Mississippi, distinguished themselves during the engagement. Defeated at Coleman's Crossroads, the Federals returned to Rodney.
