of General palmer which went over to General Howard. General Jeff. Davis was approaching at dark, and it was supposed would be in position to-night. It took wrong road. General Howard repulsed all attacks and inflicted heavy loss, his own being light. By daylight he will be well intrenched.

W. T. SHERMAN,

Major-General, Commanding.

SHERMAN'S HEADQUARTERS,

July 28, 1864. (Received 9.15.)

General THOMAS:

Try and thin your strong lines as much as possible to-morrow, so as to make good reserves for action. Let these reserves be ready to move at any moment. Our cavalry surely will reach the Macon road to-night, and to-morrow the enemy will do something desperate.

W. T. SHERMAN,

Major-General.

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, near Atlanta, Ga., July 28, 1864.

General THOMAS:

Let two of your Napoleons or 20-pounder Parrott batteries keep up fire on Atlanta all night, each battery throwing a shot every fifteen minutes, partly for effect and partly as signal to our cavalry.

W. T. SHERMAN,

Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH ARMY CORPS,
Near Atlanta, Ga., July 28, 1864 - 8.50 p. m.

Brigadier General W. D. WHIPPLE,

Chief of Staff, Army of the Cumberland:

GENERAL: In obedience to General Thomas' order I pushed the rebel Lines on my front at 4 p. m. We carried three rifle-pits in front of General Wood's and Colonel Grose's divisions, capturing 20 prisoners. These men belonged to Cheatman's division, late walker's division. Cheatman's division had gone off to oppose our right, leaving his pickets. The enemy showed at least a continuous line of troops in their works on my front, and moved men rapidly from General Geary's or General Newton's front to the opposite General Wood's right, where they were most seriously threatened. The rebels still hold a line of light works, a continuous rifle-pit, about 200 yards in advance of their main intrenchments. The prisoners represent that no re-enforcements have joined them, and that Steve Lee now commands now commands Hood's corps, Cheatman having returned to his division, and that they will try to hold Atlanta. The prisoners were taken principally by Gibson's brigade. We had 1 man killed and a few wounded. The rebels can very easily reach our skirmish line with canister. I think any attack