STANLEY'S HEADQUARTERS,

August 16, 1864.

Major- General SHERMAN

General Garrard came back last night. He had some fighting with the rebels. He found them in force, about seven regiments. They fell back behind breast- works. Some rebel cavalry passed our flank about Cross Keys yesterday. They killed one man on picket. I presume General Garrard has already reported.

D. S. STANLEY,

Major- General.

STANLEY'S HEADQUARTERS,

August 16, 1864- 10.30 p. m.

Major- General SHERMAN:

The following just received from my staff officer, Captain Steele, now at Howard's house:

General STANLEY:

Have seen troops passing a fire due west from this point going southward. A building now burning in same direction . First Brigade pickets report unusual activity among the rebels at sundown; say they heard commands given and wagons moving. Enemy sounded tatoo as usual at 9 p. m. on their right.

STEELE.

He will remain at Howard's house until 12 o'clock to report movements of enemy.

D. S. STANLEY,

Major--General.

STANLEY'S HEADQUARTERS,

August 16, 1864- 11 p. m.

General W. D. WHIPPLE:

Report from Newton's front: Some movement of the enemy going on; words of command can be heard, and artillery or wagons can be heard moving. more than the usual force could be seen in their works on Newton's front this p. m.

D. S. STANLEY,

Major- General.

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH ARMY CORPS,
Near Atlanta, Ga., August 16, 1864- 8.45 p. m.

General NEWTON,

Commanding Second Division, Fourth Army Corps:

GENERAL: Certain movements of the enemy that have been discovered since dark indicate that he is at present preparing for an attack, or to withdraw from Atlanta. Please have your pickets instructed without delay to be on the alert, and to watch closely for any movement that may be made in their front.

By order of Major- General Stanley:

J. S. FULLERTON,

Assistant Adjutant- General.

(Same to General Wood.)

34R R- VOL XXXVIII, PT V