HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, May 14, 1864.
General MCPHERSON,
Commanding Army of the Tennessee;
GENERAL: As I wrote you last night I intended to cross the Oostanaula south by our left, but Schofield has swung round so far to the north or left that time will be lost. The pontoons will be in an hour or so at a point on Snake Creek its mouth, with Captain Merrill, U. S. Engineers, in charge. Send one division immediately with the necessary artillery to effect a lodgment on the other side under direction of your engineer, and as the day develops send other divisions in order, so as to march out from the Oostanaula from about Lay’s Ferry on Rome, keeping the right. You may being the march at once and follow it up as fact as it is demonstrated that Johnston has retreated in fact. He left nothing at Dalton, and moves in too much order for a retreat.
Therefore be duly cautions, but prompt to engage. If a part of your command gets into Resaca withdraw it to Thomas, who will continue to follow substantially the railroad to Kingston. A division of cavalry, under Corse, has already gone down along the Oostanaula to hold all the crossing places. I will send General Garrard from Villanow by Dirt Town and Dry Creek to cross the Oostanaula above Rome. All this cavalry will be on your right. Howard and Stoneman were last night close on the rear guard about Swampy.
Yours,
W. T. SHERMAN,
Major-General.