Edson and Thomas tried to persuade Vandegrift to move forces to defend the ridge, but Vandegrift refused, believing that the Japanese were more likely to attack along the coast.
Edson og Thomas forsøgte at overtale Vandegrift til at flytte tropper hen for at forsvare højderyggen, men Vandegrift afslog, da han mente at det var mere sandsynligt at japanerne ville angribe langs kysten.