On July 3, 1864, as Johnston evacuated his Kennesaw Mountain line, McPherson’s Army of the Tennessee was shifted to the right of Sherman’s forces and, by way of Sandtown Road, reached this vicinity and joined Hascall’s division, 23d A.C. These troops operated as a threat to Johnston’s lines of communication and retreat from Kennesaw to the Chattahoochee River. Detachments from the four Federal corps began aggressive moves from here on Johnston’s left and rear as he withdrew from Kennesaw; one column was sent east to Ruff’s Mill on Nickajack Creek and another south by way of Mableton and the Mitchell house toward the river crossings.