THREE MILES AND A HALF EAST OF ATLANTA, GA.,
July 21, 1864.
Major General G. M. DODGE,
Commanding Left Wing, Sixteenth Army Corps:
Brigadier-General Garrard’s cavalry is ordered on an expedition by Major-General Sherman which will occupy them at least two days. This will leave Decatur defenseless, and the way open for a small body of the enemy’s cavalry to dash into our rear. You will therefor send one brigade of Fuller’s division to occupy the place, and to picket strongly the roads to the south and east until the return of the cavalry. You will also have your pioneer companies open a road through to General Schofield’s position in rear of our present line so that we can communicate quickly if necessary.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAS. B. McPHERSON,
Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Near Atlanta, Ga., July 21, 1864.
Brigadier General J. W. FULLER,
Commanding Fourth Division:
Brigadier-General Garrard’s cavalry is ordered on an expedition which will occupy them at least two days. This will leave Decatur defenseless and the way open for a small body of the enemy’s cavalry to dash into our rear. Send on brigades of your division back to occupy the place and to picket strongly the roads to the south and east until the return of the cavalry. Also have your pioneer corps open a road through to General Schofield’s position, in rear of our present line, so that we can communicate quickly, if necessary. Have the commanding officer of the corps report to Lieutenant-Colonel Tiedemann for directions.
By order of Major General G. M. Dodge:
J. W. BARNES,
Assistant Adjutant-General.