SPECIAL
HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE CUMBERLAND, FIELD ORDERS,
Near Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., Numbers 168.
June 20, 1864.

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VI. Major General J. M. Palmer will detail from his corps a force of 1,000 men, which will proceed without unnecessary delay to Chattanooga, and report to Major-General Steedman, commanding district of the Etowah, for the purpose of being organized as train guards for the protection of trains running between Chattanooga and the army in the field. The quartermaster's department will furnish the necessary transportation.

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By command of Major-General Thomas:

WM. D. WHIPPLE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

BIG SHANTY, GA., June 21, 1864-1 p. m.

(Received 11 a. m. 22d.)

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Washington, D. C.:

This is the nineteenth day of rain, and the prospect of clear weather as far off as ever. The roads are impassable, and fields and woods become quagmires after a few wagons have crossed, yet we are at work all the time. The left flank is across Noonday and the right across Noyes' Creek. The enemy hold Kenesaw, a conical mountain, with Marietta behind it, and has retired his flank to cover that town and his railroad. I am all ready to attack the moment weather and roads will permit troops and artillery to move with anything like life.

W. T. SHERMAN,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
June 21, 1864-7 a. m.

Major-General SHERMAN,

Commanding Military Division of the Mississippi:

GENERAL: Your note of 11.30 p. m. yesterday was only received by me this morning. Before writing to you I had directed Hooker to attack the enemy's left this morning, and I intend to support him with the Fourth and Fourteenth Corps if necessary. General Schofield also informed me that he had Hascall's division so posted as to support Hooker if he needed him.

Very respectfully,

GEO. H. THOMAS,

Major-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Big Shanty, Ga., June 21, 1864.

General THOMAS:

GENERAL: In consequence of the continued rain and horrid state of the roads, you may order General Hooker not to move his lines to-day, or until we can move our army with some skill and rapidity from one point to another. Let Howard strengthen his position and get a couple