Liberal commander Francisco Espoz y Mina sent 5,000 infantry and cavalrymen into the field. 9,000 Liberal troops were at Estella under Manuel Lorenzo, Marcelino de Oraá Lecumberri, and three other generals. Espoz y Mina gave orders for the passage of the Ega River at Arquijas. Meanwhile Zumalacárregui had 8,500 men. His generals were Ituralde, Guibelalde, Villareal, and Miguel Gómez Damas.