HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TENNESSEE,
In the Field, Atlanta, August 4, 1864.

General BRAXTON BRAGG,

Commanding, &c.:

GENERAL: Your dispatches of the 1st and 2nd instant were delivered yesterday by Lieutenant-Colonel Urquhart. Your instructions touching General Roddey's command will be at once complied with. His command goes to West Point to-day. The workmen from Columbus have been already returned. I am taking steps to prevent the interruption of supplies to the Virginia or this on account of the withdrawal of the reserves from Middle and South Georgia. I trust I shall accomplish this and without losing any great number of men. I fully appreciate the importance of drawing my supplies from Alabama, and of keeping my communications open to that end. I shall spare no care nor means to accomplish this. Now that the enemy's cavalry is in some sort broken up, I think I shall have no great difficulty, and that in addition I shall be able to operate upon his communications. At present everything here looks well. I beg to assure you that I have no intention of abandoning this place, and that if no other recourse be left I shall certainly give the enemy battle before I leave it. I send herewith, as directed, a copy of my field returns for August 1.*

I have the honor to be, with high regard, your obedient servant,

J. B. HOOD,

General.

[38.]

ATLANTA, August 4, 1864.

General BRAGG:

The First Mississippi Battalion goes to-night. he First Louisiana has not arrived. Telegraphed to send back from West Point.

J. B. HOOD,

General.

[38.]

OPELIKA, August 4, 1864.

General BRAGG:

I am ordered by General Maury to march with all the forces to Central Alabama, and to assume command there and intercept enemy's movements. I leave at daylight in the morning. I wish Captain Balfour, assistant quartermaster, on duty at Enterprise, Miss., now here, to accompany me. Will you authorize it?

DANL. W. ADAMS,

Brigadier-General.

[39.]

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. JACKSON'S CAVALRY DIVISION, Numbers 66.
Bear Creek Station, August 4, 1864.

Brigadier-General Lewis will proceed with his command to Griffin, Ga., preparatory to being mounted, in obedience to orders from the headquarters of the army.

By order of Brigadier General W. H. Jackson:

E. T. SYKES,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

[38.]

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* See abstract, VOL. XXXVIII, Part III, p. 680.

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