On May 7, 1864, McPherson's Army of the Tennessee (US) (15th and 16th A.C.), having marched by Lee and Gordon's Mill, turned southeast at this point and via Rock Springs Ch. on the old Tavern Road (State Highway 95), marched to its intersection with State Highway 151 and camped there that night. McPherson's objective was to outflank Johnston's forces (CS) at Dalton by seizing Snake Cr. Gap. As originally planned, this flanking march was to have been from Guntersville, Ala. via Rome and Kingston, but failing to secure additional forces, Sherman decided on a more restricted approach to Johnston's rear, via Villanow and Snake Creek Gap.

Photo: David Tibbs

Photo: David Tibbs

Photo: David Seibert