Pending Federal crossings of the Chattahoochee, Gen. E. M. McCook's cavalry division screened Fourth and Twenty-third Corps movements to nearby fords and ferries on July 6 and 15, 1864. On July 7, Brownlow's First Tennessee regiment of Dorr's brigade seized the upper island near Power's Ferry as an observation point. On July 9, Col. Dorr led a detachment across at the mouth of Soap Creek, three miles north, to scout the country below, while another detachment crossed at Cochran's Ford, one and a quarter miles south of Soap Creek, in support. Dismounted and carrying guns and cartridges aloft, the troops waded the deep stream wearing nothing but hats.