As General Sherman's army closed in on Savannah, the 3rd Cavalry Division of the U.S., under Brigadier General H.J. Kilpatrick, covered its right rear. On December 12, 1864, Kilpatrick's command crossed the Ogeechee River near Fort Argyle and near the town of Court House, now Clyde, on pontoon bridges laid by the 1st Missouri Engineers and moved down Bryan Neck. That night he established headquarters at the plantation home of Lieutenant Colonel Joseph L. McAllister of the 7th Georgia Cavalry, which stood near the river immediately north of the site. On December 13, Kilpatrick sent Murray's brigade into Liberty County to scout toward Sunbury, ordered Atkins' brigade and the 10th Wisconsin Battery to camp at Cross Roads, now Richmond Hill, and then moved down Bryan Neck with two of Atkins' regiments. Near Fort McAllister, his force skirmished with Confederate pickets and drove them back to the fort. After examining the approaches, he continued to Kilkenny Bluff, eight miles southeast, where he made contact with the U.S.S. Octorara and sent dispatches to the flagship reporting Sherman's army had reached Savannah.