The 5th Marine's battalions were to attack across the mouth of the Matanikau while the other three battalions were to cross the Matanikau inland at the "one-log bridge", turn north, and attempt to trap the Japanese forces between themselves and the coast.
Bataljonerne fra 5. marineregiment skulle angribe over mundingen af Matanikau, mens de tre andre bataljoner skulle krydse Matanikau inde i land ved "one-log bridge", dreje nordpå og forsøge at fange de japanske styrker mellem sig og kysten.