Colonel Martin E. Green called up the 2nd Division of the Missouri State Guard to a training camp on the Horseshoe Bend of the Fabius River.

Colonel Green responded by entering Edina in Knox County, Missouri on July 31—stampeding the local Home Guards.

While Moore attempted to prepare for attack, several of his company commanders allowed men to visit home.

Moore called for reinforcement from Croton and Keokuk, Iowa, but they would not cross the river in time to participate in the engagement.

He found himself facing Major Shacklett's cavalry and James Kniesley's three gun battery.

However, Kniesley's guns were a motley assortment (a 6-pounder, a 9-pounder, and a hollowed log) supplied with only a few solid shot and improvised canister.

Although a few shots were fired at long range across the river by some Iowa militia, they played no real part in the battle.

By the time a relief force reached Athens the rebels had already begun a general retreat.

The full extent of Missouri State Guard losses are unknown although Moore captured twenty men, most of them wounded.

What is known is that Moore captured 450 horses with bridles and saddles, hundreds of arms, and a wagon load of long knives.

Had they captured Moore's force they would have obtained a supply of high quality muskets from their captives, and they would have retained the initiative versus the Missouri Unionists.