HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Big. Shanty, June 13, 1864 – 3.40 a. m.
Major General O. O. HOWARD,
Commanding Fourth Army Corps:
GENERAL: Your note has been received. Should the enemy mean a night attack on you all that can be done is to hold yourself in readiness. Should he mean to attack McPherson’s left and get around his left flank at our wagon train, which is probably his other object, you will hold yourself in readiness to move to the left to Moon’s Station. At the same time, at the first signal of activity in the rebel lines, yourself and General Hooker will open heavy with artillery on the enemy and push for Pine Hill. Major-General Sherman informs us that the enemy has had his cavalry feeling well in the space between McPherson’s (Blair’s) left and Garrard’s.
By command of Major-General Thomas:
WM. D. WHIPPLE,
Chief of Staff.