HDQRS. CHIEF OF CAVALRY, DEPT. OF THE CUMBERLAND,
June 17, 1864-3 p. m.

Brigadier General E. M. McCOOK,

Commanding First Cavalry Division:

Information has been received that a force of rebel cavalry, about 300 strong, is moving in a westerly direction on the Alabama road toward Allatoona Furnace. This information is given by a scout, who started from Gig Shanty on Canton road via Moon's Station. You will detach without delay a sufficient force to purpose the force above reported.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

DAVID F. HOW,

Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. FIRST CAV. DIV., DEPT. OF THE CUMBERLAND,
June 17, 1864-4.30 p. m.

General ELLIOTT:

I received your order, and General Stoneman says he has a force near Allatoona Furnace, and will send it out and take the responsibility of my staying. It is thirteen miles from where my advance of Powder Springs road is to the Allatoona Furnace road.

E. M. McCOOK,

Commanding.

HDQRS. CHIEF OF CAVALRY, DEPT. OF THE CUMBERLAND,
June 17, 1864-5.30 p. m. (Received 8 p. m.)

General E. M. McCOOK,

Commanding First Division Cavalry:

GENERAL: Orders were sent you at 3 p. m. to send a force in pursuit of 300 rebel cavalry, reported by scout on Moon's Station and Canton road to be moving toward Allatoona Furnace. We have possession of the Dallas and Marietta road, General Schofield's left resting on said road east of Darby's (black map, June 8.) Select such position for your command as will cover the roads on our right flank. An infantry force is at Acworth.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. L. ELLIOTT,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Cavalry.

HDQRS. FIRST CAV. DIV., DEPT. OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Lost Mountain Post-Office, June 17, 1864-8 p. m.

Brigadier General W. L. ELLIOTT,

Chief of Cavalry:

After sending you the note about not moving the brigade, I sent a force out, fearing that General Stoneman's taking the responsibility might not be sufficient reason in your eyes for not obeying your order should anything happen. My men chased the enemy's cavalry on the upper road leading from here to Marietta as far as Mud Creek, six miles from Marietta by this road and six miles from Lost Mountain Post-Office. They were in rear of the enemy's infantry. The road is not laid down on the map, and is an excellent one. You have to follow the Powder Springs road two miles, then turn to the left and east to Ma-