HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Near Resaca, May 14, 18643-8 a. m.
General GARRARD,
Commanding Division of Cavalry:
GENERAL: You will move your whole command down the valley toward Rome in one or two columns by Dirt Town or Dry Creek. If you can possibly cross Oostanaula make a strike for the railroad anywhere north of Kingston. Do this in your own way, but do it thoroughly and well. I will commence crossing McPherson about Lay’s Ferry near the mouth of Snake Creek to-day; he will move on the Rome road; communicate with him but do not wait for him. If it be impossible to cross the Oostanaula with even a raiding force, then threaten Rome, and the Coosa below Rome, that the enemy may not receive provisions, forage, or re-enforcements from that direction. Make your own arrangements as to wagons and artillery; the less wheels you have, the better; but I leave to you-only act with the utmost possible energy and celerity. Johnston is retreating and is encumbered with wagons. I think he is making for Allatoona, but it is not positively demonstrated yet. The breaking of the railroad north of Kingston is desirable on any hypothesis.
W. T. SHERMAN,
Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND CAVALRY DIVISION,
Villanow, May 14, 1864-11 a. m.
Major-General SHERMAN,
Commanding Army:
GENERAL: Your dispatch of to-day, 8 a. m., is just received. I will move at once and do the best I can.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Brigadier General Kenner Garrard,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.