The bulk of the Missouri State Guard force was hidden from view on wooded high ground that formed a U overlooking the road.

Forward of the main body, Col. Aden Lowe's infantry regiment waited in a cornfield as bait.

Col. Ross's 17th Illinois Infantry engaged Lowe's troops first with skirmishers, then the main line of the regiment.

Lowe, having waited too long to disengage, was killed by a shot to the head, and his regiment retreated taking heavy casualties.

The 1st Indiana Cavalry attempted to pursue and to capture the exposed 12-pounder, but were stopped with heavy casualties by the fire of Thompson's forces on both ridges.

Thompson's Missouri State Guardsmen suffered a total of 145 casualties during the battle, including 25 dead, 40 wounded, and 80 captured.