General Joseph E. Johnston’s Confederate forces reached Cassville on May 18, 1864, from Resaca, 30 miles north, took positions on a ridge west of the town, and prepared to withstand the advancing Federals. On May 19th, pursuant to this intention, Hood's Confederate corps moved north of the town to oppose the Federal 20th and 23rd corps marching south from Adairsville. But Hood's corps, diverted by an attack on its right by McCook's cavalry, changed front and was ordered with the rest of the Confederate army to withdraw to a ridge east and south of the town.