 The battle opposed a mixed force of 700 troops- including former shogunate soldiers (Denshūtai and Shinsengumi) led by Ōtori Keisuke and Hijikata Toshizō, Aizu forces, and soldiers of various northern domains—to 2,000 troops favourable to the Imperial government.Outnumbered, the shogunal troops had to retreat to the North to Sendai, where the fleet of Enomoto Takeaki was ready to evacuate them to Hokkaidō.This left Aizu exposed, and facilitated the imperial advance.