Georgia, Bartow and Gordon Counties,

May 17, 1864

In ten days US General Sherman had pushed CS General Johnston out of strong defensive positions and south of the Oostanaula River. Johnston rejected Calhoun as a place to battle Sherman and headed on southward seven miles to Adairsville. As US General Howard’s IV Corps advanced north of Adairsville, the van, US Major Frank Sherman’s brigade, was hit by heavy artillery and sniper fire from CS General Cheatham’s entrenched division at the Saxon (Octagon) house. Three Union divisions prepared for battle, but US General Thomas halted them as darkness gathered.

Johnston had planned to deploy his men across the valley near Adairsville and anchor his flanks on the hills, but he concluded that the valley was too wide. That night he withdrew to a strong position at Cassville, eleven miles farther south. By May 19 CS General Polk’s entire corps had joined Johnston: three infantry divisions and one cavalry division.

Estimated Casualties: 200 US, unknown CS