On July 3, 1864, General J. E. Johnston's Confederate army withdrew from Kennesaw Mountain and occupied a double line of fieldworks crossing the railroad at old Smyrna Camp Ground, facing north west, with Loring's army corps on the right northeast of the railroad, Hardee's at the center, and Hood's on the left near Ruff's Mill and Nickajack Creek. On July 4, the 4th Army Corps of the United States, east of the railroad, attacked the Confederate right to test the strength of the position and found it impregnable, while a similar attack on the left near Ruff's Mill was also ineffective. After being outflanked, Johnston withdrew to his River Line that night. On July 6, the 23d Army Corps of the United States, moving from Ruff's Mill to Soap Creek, camped just east of the railroad.