HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Near Atlanta, Ga., August 9, 1864.
Brigadier General Brigadier General Kenner Garrard,
Commanding Second Cavalry Division:
GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that at as early an hour as possible this morning you send a brigade out to and beyond Decatur on our left to make a demonstration against the enemy. General Kilpatrick’s division is ordered to threaten a crossing of the Chattahoochee near Campbellton. The enemy’s cavalry manifested unusual activity on our right yesterday, threatening to cross Utoy Creek. This movement of the cavalry is ordered to occupy the attention of the enemy’s and prevent him in any way embarrassing the movements of General Schofield to-day while he endeavors to find the rebel left flank.
Yours, very respectfully,
WM. D. WHIPPLE,
Assistant Adjutant-General.