HEADQUARTERS TWENTIETH CORPS,
Near Atlanta, Ga., August 2, 1864.

Brigadier General W. T. WARD,

Commanding Third Division:

GENERAL: In compliance with inclosed order the general commanding the corps directs that you division this afternoon, camping it for the night in rear of the position now occupied by the Fourteenth Corps, and be in readiness to relieve by daylight to-morrow morning all of the Fourteenth Corps now in the front line, except one brigade (the extreme right of the Fourteenth Corps).

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

H. W. PERKINS,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.

{Inclosure.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Near Atlanta, Ga., August 2, 1864.

Brigadier General A. S. WILLIAMS,

Commanding Twentieth Army Corps:

GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that General Ward's division of your corps be ordered to return from its present position near our right and be placed in the line as arranged between you and the major-general commanding, relieving all one brigade of the Fourteenth Corps.

Your, very respectfully,

WM. D. WHIPPLE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, near Atlanta, Ga., August 2, 1864.

General SLOCUM,

Vicksburg:

You are assigned to command the Twentieth Corps. Turn over your command to the officer next in rank, and come and command your corps in the field. I will extend General Washburn's district over Vicksburg and Natchez, so that the river can be controlled by one mind. Come via Cario and Nashville.

W. T. SHERMAN,

Major-General, Commanding.

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, near Atlanta, Ga., August 2, 1864.

General ROBERT S. Granger,

Decatur, Ala.:

If that brigade of the Sixteenth Corps commanded by Colonel Howe can possibly be spared, I want it sent to the front by the cars. Our losses have been heavy and we want that brigade more than you can possibly do. I have asked General Lorenzo Thomas to send you some negro regiments, which will do to hold block-houses and intrenched places. General A. J. Smith will watch Forrest, and if he moves toward