After failing to dislodge Federal forces north of Atlanta at Peachtree Creek on July 20, General Hood sent Hardee’s Army Corps on a 15-mile night march southeast to the rear of Federal troops in East Atlanta. Hardee began the march after dark on July 21 by way of Capitol Avenue and McDonough Road. At this point the road turned toward the South River, and Moreland Avenue, then called County Line Road, did not exist at the time. Riding with Hardee’s Army Corps was Wheeler’s cavalry, en route to Decatur to seize Federal wagon trains parked near the public square. This strategic move in Hood’s defense of the city resulted in the major conflict of the Atlanta Campaign, the battle of July 22, 1864.