 Believing that the Japanese operations on 1 and 4 February had been reinforcement , not evacuation missions , the American forces on Guadalcanal proceeded slowly and cautiously , advancing only about 900 yd ( 820 m ) each day . George 's force halted on 6 February after advancing to Titi on the south coast . On the north coast , the 161st finally began their attack westward at 10 : 00 on 6 February and reached the <unk> River the same day . At the same time , the Japanese were withdrawing their remaining 2 @,@ 000 troops to Kamimbo . 
