HEADQUARTERS SECOND CAVALRY DIVISION,
June 17, 1864.
Major-General SHERMAN,
Commanding Army:
GENERAL: Inclosed I send you at sketch* of the roads, &c., of this vicinity. I have been on the line all day examining the creek, and can, if you have occasion, lead the infantry out of view and put them over the Noonday Creek and onto the Canton and Marietta road. Where the bridge is marked destroyed the creek has been made straight by ditching and bad crossing, but can be bridged in half an hour, it not being over twenty feet across. On the road leading out from Wynn’s there is a good bridge, but the ground is high on the opposite bank and is strongly guarded. The rebels are building earth-works on the Bell’s Ferry road in my front and on the Big Shanty and Roswell Factory road. Any movement would be seen, and the troops would be within shell-fire of the rebels’ batteries. To-morrow I will make a demonstration in my front. I think it best not to draw attention until the proper time to the point where we wish to cross, as there is a strong picket force along the creek. When the infantry crosses it would be best, after I secured the crossing, for them to move around on the left down the Trickum road and try to capture all cavalry which will be cut off by the infantry between them and Doctor McAfee’s. I think there will be a little difficulty in getting over the creek and I can easily clear the way, but if I do so now it will be very hard for me to hold my position and keep up my communications, but when the time comes I think it will be easy for me to secure the crossing so as to cause no delay.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Brigadier General Kenner Garrard,
Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.