HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Near Vining’s Station, Ga., July 8, 1864.
Major General O. O. HOWARD,
Commanding Fourth Army Corps:
GENERAL: Brigadier-General Garrard is to effect a lodgment at Roswell Factory to-morrow morning, and as soon as he reports himself successful General Sherman is to send a corps of the Army of the Tennessee to that point. General McPherson is, however, so far away that it may become necessary to re-enforce him before that corps could reach there. You will therefore hold the division of your corps nearest Roswell Factory in readiness to move to that point whenever called on by General Sherman, to return upon the arrival of General McPherson’s troops. The major-general commanding also that you make a display at daybreak to-morrow morning to cover the movements up the river. If you could do something to make the rebels think that you intended to make use of the pontoon bridge to cross the river, it would serve as a continual threat to that point.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. D. WHIPPLE,
Chief of Staff.