The Americans clearly did not anticipate being ambushed here.
Wilkinson's mind was consumed with the image of the entire French Army following Napoleon to Huntsville, reenacting the scene from years past of penetrating deep into the East.
Thus, under his orders for a rapid march, the entire American Army stretched into a thin line 1.5 miles long, with a significant amount of baggage left 6 miles behind.
Captain Pearce's two cavalry battalions were quickly defeated by the French Hussars—Pearce intended to disperse the enemy's reconnaissance cavalry, but instead encountered an equal number of Hussars in formation charging, losing over 30 men before he had time to react, with the rest being reaped by the trailing French skirmishers.
Wilkinson only heard continuous gunfire from the East but never received Pearce's enemy report, faintly sensing something was amiss.
