On July 8, 1864, the first passage of the Chattahoochee River by Federal forces was made at the mouth of Soap Creek by Cox’s division, 23d A.C. [US]. Cameron’s brigade crossed the creek at the dam and, passing the blackened ruins of the Paper Mills, scaled the high ridge east. Wading the river at a fish-dam, Cameron moved south to support a contingent crossing in pontoons at the mouth of the creek. A Confederate cavalry outpost and field-piece were captured. This Federal crossing forced Johnston to abandon his River Line at and below Bolton; he withdrew to the Fulton County side of the Chattahoochee River on July 9.