After General William T. Sherman's advance on Atlanta was stalled in a costly battle at New Hope Church on May 25, 1864, he was determined to move east in an effort to outflank his opponent, General Joseph E. Johnston, and open the Acworth Road and other routes for military operations. On May 27th, Sherman ordered General George H. Thomas, commander of the Army of the Cumberland, to proceed with the attack. Thomas selected General Oliver O. Howard's 4^th Army Corps with about 14,000 Union soldiers to attack the Confederate right flank. After a five-hour march through dense woods, Howard's force reached the Pickett's Mill settlement where they prepared to attack. Waiting on the Federal assault were 10,000 troops of Confederate General Patrick R. Cleburne's Division, Hardee's Corps, Army of Tennessee, considered by many to be one of the best fighting forces on either side. Continued...