GENERAL THOMAS' HEADQUARTERS,

Four miles from Atlanta, July 21, 1864-7.30 p. m.

(Received 11 p. m.)

Major THOMAS T. ECKERT,

Assistant Superintendent, U. S. Military Telegraph:

Very little progress to-day, McPherson having gained no ground. General Palmer, on extreme right, has pushed enemy from south bank of Peach Tree Creek, and reached railroad. Skirmishing sharp and lively all day, but no general engagement. We shall bounce them to-morrow. Rousseau has been successful, and has struck railroad between Montgomery and Opelika severely- so say rebel papers.

J. C. VAN DUZER.

SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS,
HDQRS. MIL. DIV. OF THE MISS., In the Field, near Atlanta, Ga., Numbers 40.
July 21, 1864.

The operations of the enemy to-morrow, July 22, will be as follows:

I. Major-Generals McPherson, Schofield, and Howard will open a careful artillery fire on the town of Atlanta, directing their shots so as to produce the best effect, and each commander will endeavor to advance his line if it can be done without a direct assault on the enemy's parapets if held in force. They will keep their men well in hand to repel assault, or to follow to the enemy's main line of entrenchments.

II. Major-General Thomas, will put the whole or a part of General McCook's cavalry to watch the peninsula between Peach Tree Creek and the Chattahoochee, and will press his lines forward close upon the enemy, endeavoring to advance his right so as to extend across the railroad and main road from Marietta.

By order of Major General W. T. Sherman:

L. M. DAYTON,

Aide-de-Camp.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Numbers 179.
In the Field, July 21, 1864.

In compliance with orders from headquarters Department and Army of the Tennessee, Brigadier General Giles A. Smith is hereby assigned to the command of the Fourth Division of this corps.

By command of Major General F. P. Blair:

A. J. ALEXANDER,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE CUMERLAND,

Near Atlanta, Ga., July 22, 1864.

Major General W. T. SHERMAN:

Commanding Military Division of the Mississippi:

GENERAL: In obedience to my orders Howard's Hooker's, and Palmer's skirmishers felt up to the enemy's position and entered his first line of works at 2 a. m., and are now pressing on. Your orders by Colonel Ewing were received by sunrise, and my previous orders-modified accordingly. I will now join Palmer and put his head of column