According to Hood, whose recollection of the council differs markedly from Johnston's, he and Polk told Johnston that the line could not be held against an attack but that it was a good position from which to move against the enemy.
Ifølge Hood, hvis erindringer om krigsrådet afviger betydeligt fra Johnstons, fortalte han og Polk Johnston at linjen ikke kunne holdes ved et angreb, men at linjen var en god stilling hvorfra man kunne rykke frem mod fjenden.