HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, near Atlanta, August 18, 1865-1.15 p. m.
General THOMAS:
The shots that go so deep into the city are from 10-pounder Parrotts in General Ransom’s front, which is the second division to the right of General Williams; he is well in the re-entrant between Atlanta and White Hall, looking up Proctor’s Creek. The 4 1/2-inch gun of General Corse has an equally good position. We are in close musket-range of the enemy’s main line. That General Kilpatrick may succeeded perfectly and to plenty of damage, it is, of course, important to draw off from him all the cavalry we can. I wish you to instruct General Garrard minutely; he will obey orders, but if left to himself does not persevere long enough. I think by daylight he ought to be in Decatur, then move some four or five miles in the direction of Flat Rock and skirmish with the enemy, then toward Stone Mountain, and then swinging round toward the Peach Tree road come home, as it were trolling off any party of cavalry that may be kept by Hood to watch his right flank. General Kilpatrick will be near Fairburn at daylight, with his horses cool and fresh. He will then push rapidly for Jonesborough, and ought to be there by 1 or 2 p. m. to-morrow. If he can then have twelve hours of uninterrupted work he can do much damage. General Garrard should therefore maneuver and threaten all day and night to-morrow and into next day. He should keep a respectable force of the enemy’s cavalry in sight all the time, for, if after him, they cannot be bothering General Kilpatrick, whose real task is not to fight but to work.
W. T. SHERMAN,
Major-General, Commanding.