CITY POINT, August 3, 1864.
(Received 6.30 a. m. 4th.)
General HALLECK,
Chief of Staff:
Richmond Dispatch to-day contains the following:
MACON, August 1, 1864-6 p. m.
Our cavalry under General Iverson attacked the enemy yesterday near Clinton. The Yankees, commanded by General Stoneman, routed, and Stoneman, 25 officers, about 500 prisoners, with 2 pieces of artillery, surrendered, and have just reached the city. The rest of the Yankee force is scattered and flying toward Eatonton.
U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General.
NEAR ATLANTA, GA., August 3, 1864-9 p. m.
(Received 11 p. m. 4th.)
Major General HALLECK,
Washington, D. C.:
We have had pretty lively times to-day generally, closing in, taking some 200 or 300 prisoners. Under the pressure I got two divisions across the head of Utoy Creek, well toward the railroad, and to-morrow will bringing 1,200 of his men. He reports that on July 29 he broke the West Point road at Palmetto, and then crossed over to the Macon road, at Lovejoy’s, where he took up 2 miles of track, burned 2 trains, 100 bales of cotton, and 5 miles of telegraph. He fell upon the rebel wagons train and burned over wagons and killed 800 mules. He captured 72 officers and 350 men, but his progress eastward and north, according to the plan, was stopped by a surer force of cavalry and he turned toward Newnan, where he was completely surrounded. He ordered two of his small brigades to make their way to the Chattahoochee while he held the enemy. About 500 of them are in, but the balance, about 1,000, are doubtless captured or killed. He then with 1,200 men charged through in column, riding down Ross’ (Texas) brigade and capturing Ross, the commander; but he had to drop all prisoners and incumbrances to save his command. He crossed the Chattahoochee below franklin and up by Dallas to Marietta. The plan was for him to meet General Stoneman at Lovejoy’s, but he did not meet him. Prisoners report that Yankee cavalry were shelling Macon on the 1st instant, so I think General Stoneman has a chance of rescuing those prisoners. It was a bold and rash adventure, but I sanctioned it, and hoped for its success from its very rashness. I think that all Georgia is now in my front, and he may meet but little opposition and succeed in releasing those prisoners. The difficulty will then commence for them to reach me. My lines are very strong, and cover well all our brigades across Chattahoochee. I will use my cavalry hereafter to cover the railroad, and use infantry and artillery against Atlanta. A large part of Hood’s army is militia, that cannot be trusted in the open field, and I think we have crippled the three fighting corps now commanded by Stewart, Stephen D. Lee, and Hardee. It is even whispered that Hardee has resigned; but this is as yet but the story of deserters.
W. T. SHERMAN,
Major-General.