At the William Neal McKelvey residence in 1864, a Council of War met on May 19 to discuss whether the Confederate army should hold the position east and south of Cassville. Present were Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk, Lt. Gen. John B. Hood, Maj. Gen. S.C. French, and Capt. W.J. Morris, chief engineer of Polk's A.C. After hearing the council's statements, Johnston ordered the army to withdraw at midnight. The decision resulted from a failure to make an opportune attack on the Federals and an alleged inability to hold the defensive line as it was then situated.