HEADQUARTERS SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Near Atlanta, Ga., September 12, 1864.
COLONEL: In compliance with paragraph III., of Special Field Orders, Numbers 117, department headquarters, I have the honor to make the following report:
[editor’s note: most of report not printed here except for excerpts pertaining to 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry]
The morning of the 19th [June] developed the fact that the enemy had fallen back from Brush Mountain to a line extending from the base of Kenesaw Mountain northeast, covering Marietta. My line was advanced at once to the crest of Brush Mountain. The 20th, 21st, and 22nd of June were occupied in strengthening the line on Brush Mountain and advancing the skirmish line toward Kenesaw Mountain. On the 23d, under instructions from Major-General McPherson, I made a reconnaissance with the Third Division (Brigadier-General Leggett’s) in the direction of Marietta. General Garrard was ordered to move up with his cavalry division and cover my left. I moved the division by the left flank to a point nearly east of Marietta, and within 800 yards of the enemy’s line of works, which appeared to be unoccupied. I opened upon the works with a battery but elicited no response. While making dispositions to advance I was forced to withdraw my command in consequence of an attack on Garrard’s cavalry, which was directly in my rear. Having accomplished the object of the reconnaissance I withdrew the division to its previous position. No movements of importance occurred in my command until the 27th, when, under orders, I made a vigorous demonstration with my whole line to divert the attention of the enemy from the assaults made by other portions of the army. The casualties in this command during the day were about 200 killed, wounded, and missing.
FRANK P. BLAIR, JR.,
Major-General, Commanding.
Lieutenant Colonel WILLIAM T. CLARK,
A. A. G. and Chief of Staff, Dept. and Army of the Tennessee.