Joseph T. Derry , A. M. , Author of School History of the United States; Story of the Confederate War, etc., Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 6, Georgia
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

[335] Col. W. C. P. Breckinridge, to take care of Stoneman. Wheeler himself went to Jonesboro with Ashby's (Humes') brigade to reinforce W. H. Jackson, ordering Anderson's brigade to follow, and Dibrell to remain to hold Garrard in check. In the midst of these cavalry maneuvers which engaged the attention of Wheeler and Jackson, Sherman began his movement by the west flank to destroy the two remaining railroads, running south and west via West Point and Macon, which connected Atlanta with the outside country. He had in use the Western & Atlantic, which he had put in running order to Chattanooga and protected by garrisons at various points; and held the line of the Georgia railroad east by strong intrenchments on his right flank.

Bragg had organized cavalry movements to protect the West Point railroad in Alabama, and Gen. Stephen D. Lee —who had won distinction by the repulse of Sherman before Vicksburg, had been surrendered there over his protest, and had since been active in command of cavalry in Mississippi and Alabama—was promoted to lieutenant-general and assigned to the command of Hood's corps, in the interim under Cheatham, who now resumed command of his gallant division of Hardee's corps. Lee went on duty on the 26th, and with his corps held the west flank of the Confederate line south of Proctor's creek, where Howard was now stationed. On the next day he was advised to prepare for a forward movement of the enemy against his position.

Howard pushed on southwest, parallel to the single line by which the West Point and Macon roads enter the city. On the 27th, Dodge, skirmishing briskly, took a line below Proctor's creek, facing the Confederate works around the city; Blair formed south of him, and Logan was near the line of the Lickskillet road, facing south, prepared to advance to take the road next day. Near noon on the 28th, Hood, having been informed of the aggressive movements by Jackson, sent orders to Lee if