HEADQUARTERS SECOND CAVALRY DIVISION,
September 3, 1864.
Brigadier General W. D. WHIPPLE,
Chief of Staff, Department of the Cumberland:
GENERAL: My daily reports have not been very regularly made during the past few days, but I have been doing all that I could to meet the requirements of the occasion. On yesterday morning, by heavy patrols to the north and east, I learned that Atlanta was evacuated, and that Lee’s and Stewart’s corps had gone toward McDonough; that I at once reported to General Sherman, as he was in doubt of the position of the enemy. Considering information the most valuable at the time, I have for two days employed what force I could spare from my division to obtain it. To-day I reported to General [Elliott] full information of the time and route of Lee’s and Stewart’s corps and the militia. I think I made Stewart’s corps leave Atlanta and go to the Chattahoochee and return to Atlanta, on the 2nd instant instead of the 1st as was the case; it was an oversight on my [part] not intended. Hood remained in Atlanta till daylight on the 2d, and passed eight miles east of here on the Atlanta and Griffin road at 11 a.m. yesterday. It was impossible to make many captures, as all the roads to the east were strongly guarded. I have only few prisoners, but Hardee’s, Stewart’s, and Lee’s corps, and the militia are represented. Yesterday I sent one company to Atlanta, it returned to-day.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Brigadier General Kenner Garrard,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.