Each side had cavalry forces engaged, under a regiment in strength. Casualties were about even, running about 25 per side.

Confederate cavalry, numbering about 600 men, attacked Athens, held by about 100 Union troops, around 4:00 am on the morning of January 26, 1864. After a two-hour battle, the Confederates retreated. Union forces, although greatly outnumbered and without fortifications, repulsed the attackers.

This was typical of the actions in the strategic backwaters, local raids and counter-raids without much purpose except to inflict casualties or destroy supplies.