Sherman's attack at Resaca was a diversion as Sweeny's Sixteenth Corps crossed the Oostanauala River at Lay's Ferry, where they began to advance on Johnston's supply line

On the morning of May 14, Sherman gave Sweeny the go-ahead to cross the Oostanaula River, with the intention of following him with two cavalry divisions to destroy the rail line south of Calhoun. He concurrently gave the order for the left of his line to advance forward, deflecting the attention of the Confederates from Sweeny's movements.

Snake Creek empties into the river roughly 100 years south of Lay's Ferry, making it a convenient site for Sweeny to cross the river. While a lesser force dealt with the crossing, Sweeny instructed the remainder of his troops to drive the Confederates away from the ferry. Sweeny briefly withdrew due to inaccurate information about the location of the Confederates before successfully fording the river on the 15th and establishing a Union presence there. Sherman had once more used his numerical advantage to outflank the firmly established Confederates. As a result, Johnston's position became precarious, and throughout the night, his forces abandoned their fortifications and moved further south.