Following his defeat at Cabin Creek on July 1-2, 1863, Confederates led by Colonel Stand Watie withdrew to secure the Honey Springs supply depot. He met up with a bigger army led by Brig. Gen. Douglas Cooper. Union Maj. Gen. James Blunt took the initiative and set out from Fort Gibson in search of Watie. Blunt's command included the 2nd Colorado Infantry, 1st Kansas (Colored) Infantry, 6th Kansas Cavalry, 3rd Wisconsin Cavalry, and the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Indian Home Guard Regiments.

Blunt approached Cooper's line, which was positioned beyond Elk Creek, with caution on July 17. Cooper had the 1st and 2nd Creek Mounted Rifles, the 1st and 2nd Cherokee Mounted Rifles, the 1st Chickasaw Regiment of Mounted Rifles, the 1st Choctaw Regiment of Mounted Rifles, and three Texas cavalry battalions at his disposal.

Blunt ordered his force forward after an artillery barrage and despite the intense heat. As the action ebbed and flowed, both sides exchanged volleys. Because of the confusion of the action, the 2nd Indian Home Guards maneuvered across the front of the 1st Kansas (Colored). Union officers spotted the error swiftly and ordered the Guards to mend. Confederates raced forward, believing the Federals were retreating. The 1st Kansas, on the other hand, held steady and unleashed a devastating fire on the gray columns, leading the Confederates to collapse.

Blunt briefly pursued Cooper before abandoning the pursuit and returning to Fort Gibson. His triumph cemented Union rule over Indian Territory.