The Confederate strategy is working, because Sherman…

The Confederate strategy is working, because Sherman is being forced to disperse his strength to maintain his lines of communications, but he is not about to fall into Hood's trap completely.

Sherman intends to provide Thomas with sufficient strength to cope with Forrest and Hood, while he completes plans to strike out for Savannah.

On September 29, Hood had begun his advance across the Chattahoochee River, heading to the northwest with forty thousand men to threaten the Western & Atlantic Railroad, Sherman's supply line.

On October 1, Hood's cavalry had been intercepted by Union cavalry under Brigadier Generals

Judson Kilpatrick and Kenner Garrard in a raid on the railroad near Marietta, but Sherman is still uncertain of Hood's location.

For the past three weeks, Sherman has had difficulty keeping abreast of Hood's movements.

Hood has moves  rapidly, screens his march, and maintains the initiative.

The Union cavalry, which Sherman has neglected to train adequately, has a difficult time following Hood and reporting his movements.