HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE,
In the Field, July 21, 1864-5.30 p. m.

Major General FRANK P. BLAIR,

Commanding Seventeenth Army Corps:

GENERAL: Have your command work industriously strengthening their position to-night, so as to make it impregnable against any rebel assault. Call on Brigadier-General Fuller's command (Dodge's corps) for assistance, if you require it. Have the brush and small trees in front of your entrenchments cut down for a distance of 80 or 100 yards, making a sort of abatis. Impress upon the command the importance daybreak.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAS. B. McPHERSON,

Major-General.

[Indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Near Atlanta, July 21, 1864.

Respectfully referred to Brigadier General M. D. Leggett, commanding Third Division, Seventeenth Army Corps, for his information and guidance.

General Leggett will please see that these instructions are fully and promptly carried out, and that every effort is made to render his position as strong as possible.

By command of Major General F. P. Blair:

A. J. ALEXANDER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

THREE MILES AND A HALF EAST OF ATLANTA, GA.,

July 21, 1864.

Major General G. M. DODGE,

Commanding Left Wing, Sixteenth Army Corps:

Brigadier-General Garrard's cavalry is ordered on an expedition by Major-General Sherman which will occupy them at least two days. This will leave Decatur defenseless, and the way open for a small body of the enemy's cavalry to dash into our rear. You will therefor send one brigade of Fuller's division to occupy the place, and to picket strongly the roads to the south and east until the return of the cavalry. You will also have your pioneer companies open a road through to General Schofield's position in rear of our present line so that we can communicate quickly if necessary.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAS. B. McPHERSON,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Near Atlanta, Ga., July 21, 1864.

Brigadier General J. W. FULLER,

Commanding Fourth Division:

Brigadier-General Garrard's cavalry is ordered on an expedition which will occupy them at least two days. This will leave Decatur