Providence Church, where it will take a left-hand road, sometim called the upper Decatur road, and proceed on this until Nancy's Cre is reached, when a good position on each side of the road will be chose and the troops ordered into bivouac. VII. Brig. Gen. William Harrow, commanding Fourth Division, wi have the advance, and will be followed by the divisions of Brigadie Generals Woods and M. L. Smith, respectively. VIII. The ammunition wagons which are intended to transport the ad ditional 100 rounds referred to in paragraph IV of the order will follow each division, and the ambulance train of each division will likewis follow. Fifteenth Army Corps headquarters train will follow in rea of the First Division. All other wagons of the command will follow in rear of the entire command in the order of march. Two regiments o infantry will follow in the rear of the entire train as rear guard. IX. The general supply train will be left and parked as near the river bridge as practicable, on the west side, under the direction of the chief quartermaster of the corps. * By order of Maj. Gen. John A. Logan: SPECIAL ORDERS, R. R. TOWNES, Assistant Adjutant-General. HDQRS. SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS, I. Brig. Gen. M. D. Leggett will have the advance to-morrow, and will move his command promptly at 4 a. m. on the road to Roswell Ferry. II. Brig. Gen. W. Q. Gresham, commanding Fourth Division, will hold his command in readiness to move at 4.30 a. m., and will follow immediately in rear of the Third Division. The trains of this command have been ordered to move at 2 a. m. on the road before indicated in advance of the troops. By command of Maj. Gen. Frank P. Blair: A. J. ALEXANDER, EAST OF CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER, GA., July 17, 1864-10 p. m. (Received 11.20 a. m. 18th.) To-day we have moved out from the Chattahoochee to Nancy's Creek, General Thomas on the right from Pace's Ferry, toward Atlanta; General Schofield in the center, near Cross Keys, and General McPherson on the left near General Schofield. To-morrow I propose to advance General Thomas to Peach Tree Creek, about Buck Head; General Schofield on the Decatur road, and General McPherson to the vicinity of the railroad east of Decatur, and his cavalry division, under Garrard, will break the railroad. If we can break the railroad I propose to place the left wing across it, near Decatur, and break up the railroad eastward as far as cavalry can operate with prudence. To-day we encounter nothing but cavalry. W. T. SHERMAN, HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Major-General THOMAS: GENERAL: If you find it difficult to pass Pace's Ferry, move one of your corps now on this side up to General Howard's, and, with the two. corps, move out to the bridge at Kyle's over Nancy's Creek, leaving the other corps to cross at Pace's, or to follow the first if unable to effect a crossing at Pace's. All your army should be on Nancy's Creek to-night. General Schofield and General McPherson moved at daylight. W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General, Commanding. HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, In the Field, Lot No. 165, our map, east of Chattahoochee River, July 17, 1864. Major-General THOMAS, Commanding Army of the Cumberland: GENERAL: General Schofield has just been here and describes his position as on Nancy's Creek, his pickets on south side, near Cross Keys, about the lots 304, 315, and 316. General McPherson is on the road from Roswell to Decatur, his advance about lot 326, about a mile above General Schofield. General Schofield says that the road represented on our maps as from Roswell to Buck Head is a broad, well traveled road and has a branch about lot No. 94, leading to Pace's Ferry. This corresponds with what General Corse tells me, that you found a large road branching to the left soon after leaving Pace's Ferry. It is well to mark this road, as it may be useful to us. General Howard can take a good road from here to Buck Head, starting at his present front and moving southeast to the main road from Roswell to Buck Head, just before it crosses Nancy's Creek. Approaching Buck Head from this quarter about the same time that Generals Schofield and McPherson get to the Peach Tree from the east, will of course relieve any pressure you may encounter on the main road. General Schofield will move early for the Peach Tree road in front of Cross Keys, and take post about lots 239, 247, and 272, with pickets forward as far as 196, and General McPherson will seek for position in the valley of North Fork of Peach Tree, about 267, 266, 284, 285, and send General Garrard to break the road and telegraph. You should leave a corps in front of Donaldson's, and have the other two as early as possible at and in front of Buck Head. Then feel down strong to Peach Tree and see what is there. A vigorous demonstration should be made, and caution your commanders not to exhibit any of the signs of a halt or pause, as in that event too much resistance would be made on the other flank. You know the reasons for the utmost activity and I need not repeat them. Let all your commanders have full orders to-night, and before joining General Schofield in the morning I will point out to General Howard the road by which he can reach Buck Head in five miles from here. Give orders as soon as any head of column reaches Buck Head to feel up the Peach Tree road for General Schofield, who will surely be in position before your troops can be. I am, yours, truly, W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Major-General SHERMAN: General Hooker has his troops posted on the intermediate roa between Pace's and Powers' Ferry roads. General Palmer has John son on the Pace's Ferry road, and Davis on a road between that an the railroad bridge. All the troops occupy the ridge overlookin Nancy's Creek, with their skirmishers bordering the creek. Baird is i reserve behind Davis. A rebel battery with its infantry support, which has been firing on McCook's battery, posted in the redoubt to the left o the railroad, cleared out from its position on Peach Tree Creek this p m. and retired across the creek in direction of Atlanta. Sutermeiste has made excellent practice to-day, and will continue to fire at intervals through the night. I shall move my headquarters to-morrow to near Hooker, who will be in the center of my army. GEO. H. THOMAS, Major-General. HOWARD'S HEADQUARTERS, General THOMAS: Signal dispatch received. Schofield is on the road from Johnson's by Cross Keys. Palmer had better move straight for Kyle's Bridge, and Hooker from Powers' to the crossing above near Schofield; Howard in reserve. SHERMAN, HEADQUARTERS FOURTH ARMY CORPS, Major-General STANLEY, First Division, Fourth Army Corps: GENERAL: The general commanding directs that you have everything in readiness to move at 5 a. m. to-morrow, but not to move until further orders are issued for this purpose. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, (Same to Newton and Wood.) J. S. FULLERTON, HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Maj. Gen. J. M. PALMER, Near Vining's Station, Ga., July 17, 1864. Commanding Fourteenth Army Corps: GENERAL: The commanding general directs that you commence the execution of the orders of General Sherman (copies of which were sent you this evening) at daylight to-morrow a. m. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, SOUTHARD HOFFMAN, (Same to General Howard.) Assistant Adjutant-General. morning at daylight, and you will have your command in readiness to take up their position with a view of supporting Captain Lilly's and also Captain Sutermeister's battery. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID F. HOW, Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, General SCHOFIELD: DEAR GENERAL: Captain Bartlett is here. I have just sent back to my headquarters the draft of an order for to-morrow. Thomas will move to and beyond Buck Head. You to the Peach Tree Creek road where intersected by the road leading to Decatur. The position is on the ridge between Nancy's and Little Peach Tree. McPherson to-morrow will move to a point about four miles to your left front, and send his cavalry to the railroad. Thomas is sending a corps this way, using Howard's bridge, and I will direct them to Nancy's Creek on the direct road to Cross Keys, viz, lot 93. I suppose you to be on lot 36, with advance guard well down to the creek Nancy. I want McPherson to-night between you and Buchanan's. Yours, W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General, Commanding. JULY 17, 1864. General SHERMAN: I send an orderly to show you the way to my headquarters. My troops are on the ridge between Island and Nancy's Creeks, with advance at Nancy's. I hear McPherson's guns not far to my left. Respectfully, J. M. SCHOFIELD, Major-General. General SHERMAN: JULY 17, 1864 4.45 p. m. I have just heard directly from McPherson. He is at the crossing of Nancy's Creek on the Decatur road, one mile from Cross Keys and only a mile from my left. I expect you here about supper time. If you do not come I will call at your headquarters this evening. Respectfully, J. M. SCHOFIELD, HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Major-General SCHOFIELD, Commanding Army of the Ohio: GENERAL: Your note to the general-in-chief of 4.45 p. m. is just to hand. He had dropped a note by an orderly from you that he had al |