Stewart's & Lee's A.C. March to Lovejoy's Station

Hardee's command, [CS] defeated at Jonesboro, Aug. 31, 1864, was depleted by the withdrawal of S.D. Lee's A.C. before results of the battle were known in Atlanta. Hood, anticipating a Federal attack at East Point, ordered Lee toward Atlanta. He left Jonesboro early September 1 and via McDonough Road reached South River the 2nd, passing Stewart's A.C. [CS] which had abandoned Atlanta that morning because of Hardee's defeat. Hardee was forced to withdraw to Lovejoy's Sta. Sept. 1, where Stewart joined him on the 2nd. Lee, covering Stewart's rear, followed him to Lovejoy's on this road -- arriving there Sept. 3rd.