HDQRS. FIRST Brigadier, SECOND DIV., 14TH ARMY CORPS, In the Field, August 20, 1864.
Captain T. W. MORRISON,
Asst. Adjt. General, Second Div., Fourteenth Army Corps:
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that in compliance with orders from division headquarters, my command moved early this morning to the right and in rear of trenches lately occupied by Second Division, Twenty-third Army Corps. About 8.30 a. m. I received orders to make a reconnaissance with my own and the Third Brigade toward Red Oak Station, on Atlanta and West Point Railroad. When within two miles and a half of the station, on the Newman road, the First Brigade was left to cover certain roads leading in the direction of East Point, while the Third Brigade moved toward Red Oak, striking the Atlanta and West Point Railroad half a mile east of that station, cutting the telegraph wire and tearing up portion of the railroad track. From here the troops moved by the most direct route back to camp. The heavy rains made the creeks almost impassable, and some delay occurred in crossing Camp Creek on my return. The troops met with no resistance until reaching the railroad, where I found a small force of the enemy’s cavalry. Distance marched during the day, full twenty miles. Prisoners captured by both brigades, some 12 or 14. Full reports have not received. Casualties, none.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES D. MORGAN,
Brigadier-General.
HEADQUARTERS SECOND CAVALRY DIVISION, August 20, 1864.
Brigadier General W. D. WHIPPLE,
Chief of Staff, Department of the Cumberland:
GENERAL: I have the honor to report the return of the brigade sent to Decatur. Little information was gained. The pickets, &c., were driven in yesterday and this morning, but the rebels could not be persuaded to follow us back and fight. The roads were patrolled beyond Decatur several miles. The impression is that Wheeler has left considerable of his force in and about Lawrenceville, and that the railroad at Covington is about being repaired. An Irishman just from there says the timbers for the bridge over the Ulcofauhachee are on the ground and the bridge about being rebuilt. The brigade camped near Decatur last night and returned this afternoon.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Brigadier General Kenner Garrard,
Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.
HDQRS. DETACHMENT THIRD CAVALRY DIVISION, Sandtown, Ga., August 20, 1864.
Brigadier-General ELLIOTT,
Chief of Cavalry, Department of the Cumberland:
GENERAL: I have the honor to report that Lieutenant-Colonel Klein, commanding Firs Brigade, Third Cavalry Division, has just returned to this place with his command. Lieutenant-Colonel Klein was detachment from Brigadier-General Kilpatrick’s command on the night of the 18th instant with about 300 men, and proceeding toward the Atlanta and Macon Railroad he stuck that road at Fayette at noon of the 19th instant. At this place he destroyed one-quarter of a mile of track and captured a train 8 cars, which he destroyed, together with the locomotive. Another train arriving from the north with an infantry force, and being also attacked by cavalry, he was compelled to leave the railroad. Being unable to rejoin General Kilpatrick, in the direction of Atlanta, he returned to this place with the loss of 2 men.
I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
M. T. PATRICK,
Lieutenant Colonel Fifth Iowa Cav. Commanding Detachment Third Cav. Div.