After Federal forces cut the A. and W.P. R. R. at Red Oak, they shifted toward the Macon R. R. to complete the isolation of Atlanta and make it untenable for the Confederate defenders. On Aug. 30, 1864, Stanley’s 4th A. C. [US], moving south from Red Oak, reached the Long house at noon and encountered Confederate cavalry posted at the crossroads. Newton’s div. of the 4th drove the cavalry northeast on the Flat Shoals Rd. and deployed just beyond the Mann house. Kimball and Wood were aligned south of the crossroads on the Fayetteville Rd., facing northeast, with Wood on the right joining the left of Baird’s div., 14th A. C.