HDQRS. DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Woodland, May 18, 1864-8.30 p.m.
Major-General SHERMAN,
Commanding, &c.:
GENERAL: We reached here at 6.30 p.m. found General Garrard here in accordance with instructions given him this morning. I inclose herewith his report, which will give you an idea of what his command has done to-day.* The report indicates that the enemy is not in heavy force this side of Kingston, and that Brigadier General Jeff. C. Davis has been attacking Rome since yesterday, and is in possession of the place. Please send me instructions how and at what hour you desire me to move in the morning.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAS. B. McPHERSON,
Major-General, Commanding.
P. S. – Shall I send Garrard’s cavalry to Rome to-morrow, or do you prefer having them do something else?
McPHERSON,

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, near Kingston, May 18, 1864-12 midnight.
General McPHERSON,
Army of the Tennessee, Woodland:
GENERAL: I dispatched a courier to you at 10.30 ordering you early in the morning to move on Kingston, to which point General Thomas will also move, and where I will meet you. I now have General Garrard’s report and hope he is right in his conclusion that many locomotives and cars are west of the break in the railroad. Let General Garrard send a detachment of about 100 men to Rome and to hunt up General Jeff. Davis. Also, in case of Rome being in our possession or evacuated, to scour the country west of Barnsley Creek as far as Oostanaula for prisoners, deserters, wagons, horses, &c. Let General Garrard with all his cavalry a section of guns, but no wagons, move at same time with you on the point of Etowah River about two miles west of Kingston, just below the mouth of Connesena Creek, where a bridge if ferret is represented; then in succession the other bridges and ferries supposed to be south of Kingston, and as far east as the road leading from the Saltpeter Cave to Euharlee Mills, and as much farther as he thinks he can achieve anything, trying at all these points to make captures and boats if possible. He may count on our attacking Kingston if not already abandoned as also Cassville and its railroad station. General Stoneman should to-day have struck the same railroad near Cartersville, in which case we cannot fail to make many captures of men and material to-morrow with a promise of a two days’ rest and plenty of forage up by the cars by the day after to-morrow. In the mean time the pastures are all he could ask.
I am, &c.,
W. T. SHERMAN,
Major-General, Commanding.