HDQRS. CHIEF OF CAVALRY, DEPT. OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Near Atlanta, Ga., August 18, 1864.
Brigadier General Brigadier General Kenner Garrard,
Commanding Second Cavalry Division:
General Kilpatrick reports that his command will make to-night for the direction of Jonesborough, on the Macon railroad. The general commanding directs that you endeavor to attract the attention of the enemy this evening and early to-morrow morning, with a view if possible to draw his cavalry toward our left and from the route to be taken by General Kilpatrick.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID F. HOW,
Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. THIRD BRIGADE, SECOND CAVALRY DIVISION,
Near Atlanta, August 18, 1864.
Captain KENNEDY,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
CAPTAIN: The patrol from Decatur has returned. They went into town, found no rebels there. None have been there since our reconnaissance on Monday except small scouting parties of eight or ten. Eleven or twelve were in town this morning. They captured two of our stragglers yesterday. Reported that they frequently capture men at Mrs. Seely’s, on Peach Tree Creek, said woman being in concert with the rebels. No infantry been near there. Ferguson’s command camped one mile and a half from Decatur, with pickets on Atlanta road, one mile west of town. All the scouts in town have been of Ferguson’s command. The Cross Keys patrol reports scouting parties through that country yesterday. Twenty-five at Cross Keys last night.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. O. MILLER,
Colonel, Commanding Brigade.