HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, near Chattahoochee River, July 5, 1864.
Major General GEORGE STONEMAN,
Commanding Cavalry:
DEAR STONEMAN: I have your note, which is very satisfactory. I have heard of your general success from other quarters. I will instruct General Barry to give you a good four-gun battery, if he can get one from some of the commands. Our left is now on the river above the railroad bridge. We find Hardee’s corps intrenched on this side the river from the bridge down to the mouth of the Nickajack; we hear the other two corps and militia are across; we can see Atlanta plain, but it will require hard fighting and science to take it. It must be done. Garrard is gone up to Roswell, and I hope to hear from him to-night. I think Johnston will send all his effective cavalry round by the north, to strike our railroad, and must keep Garrard well on that flank and McCook to support him. I think you can whip anything that attempts to cross on that flank. Keep up the delusion of our crossing below Sandtown as long as possible, and I have reason to believe the enemy expects it. We have a nice game of war and must make no mistakes. We ought to have caught Johnston on his retreat, but he had prepared the way too well. We have killed a number and have a couple thousand prisoners, some taken in fair fight and some gathered up straggling behind. He can no longer look into our camps as he did from Kenesaw. Try and pick up as many of his scouts as you can, and gather in as prisoners every citizen of whom you entertain a suspicion. Schofield will move over to our left, up the Chattahoochee about Roswell or below it. Write often. My headquarters are on the main road about three miles back from the railroad bridge.
W. T. SHERMAN,
Major-General, Commanding.