In November 1864, movements of Kilpatrick's cavalry division of General Sherman's army, which had left Atlanta on the 15th on its destructive March to the Sea, indicated an advance on Augusta via Waynesboro. To protect this crossing of Brier Creek, strong earthworks were built astride the Augusta road, northwest and southeast through this point. An attempt by Kilpatrick on the 27th to burn bridges over Brier Creek was defeated by Wheeler's cavalry. On December 4, Kilpatrick returned with strong infantry support, drove Wheeler out of Waynesboro and across Brier Creek, and burned the rail and wagon bridges north and east of Waynesboro.