CAMP IN THE FIELD,
East of Van Wert, May 24, 1864-3.45 p.m.
Brigadier General Brigadier General Kenner Garrard,
Commanding Cavalry Division:
The main column is going into camp on this creek, where there is water. Camp your command in some good position for to-night on the road toward Dallas. Reconnoiter the roads thoroughly leading off to the southeast toward Pumpkin Vine and Villa Rica. Find out all the information you can about the enemy in and about Dallas, also the roads. Try and communicate across with Major-General Thomas, who was to be at Burnt Hickory or Huntsville to-night. Send me the result of your investigations and reconnaissance to-night. I will send your orders for march before morning.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAS. B. McPHERSON,
Major-General, Commanding.
IN THE FIELD,
Four miles east of Van Wert, May 24, 1864.
Brigadier General K. GARRARD,
Commanding Cavalry Division:
Your dispatch received.* Major-General McPherson directs that you advance no farther until the infantry come up, but that you reconnoiter carefully and thoroughly all the road in front and on your flanks, procuring all the information possible with regard to the enemy, his force and intentions. The substance of this dispatch has been sent you by the general, 4 p.m., but the courier failed to get through, representing a cavalry force between you and the infantry column. This was not so, as the dispatch has ere this reached you in charge of a company of cavalry. The infantry will move at an early hour to-morrow.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. T. CLARK,
Assistant Adjutant-General.