CARTERSVILLE, August 20, 1864.

Major-General SHERMAN:

General McCook has returned with the infantry, not finding the enemy. The cavalry has been sent to Dallas. No force at Fairmount or Jasper; only small parties of ten to twenty scattered about in the mountains.

JNO. E. SMITH,

Brigadier-General.

CARTERSVILLE, August 20, 1864-11.40 p. m.

Major-General SHERMAN:

General McCook returned with the infantry at 12 m. to-day. Colonel Heath returned at 10 p. m., having captured 2 prisoners. No force of the enemy found. Reported the return of General McCook at 1 p. m. to-day.

JNO. E. SMITH,

Brigadier-General.

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, In the Field, near Atlanta, August 20, 1864-8.15 p. m.

COMMANDING OFFICERS,
Marietta, Allatoona, Kingston, Cartersville, and Resaca:

Try to ambush the scamps that cut our telegraph wire. Signal stations will be kept up at Vining's, Kenesaw, and Allatoona; and operators should send by signal notice of the time and place of break in the wires, that steps may be taken which will lead to the capture of the men who are employed for the purpose.

W. T. SHERMAN,

Major-General, Commanding.

HDQRS. MILIARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, In the Field, near Atlanta, August 20, 1864-9.15 p .m.

General VANDEVER,
Rome:

General John E. Smith reports from Cartersville a force of 1,200 below Stilesborough, and has sent out 1,400 men to head it off. Between you at Rome and General John E. Smith at Cartersville that force should be caught. Send out every man you can spare, and do all that is possible.

W. T. SHERMAN,

Major-General, Commanding.

ROME, August 20, 1864.

Major-General SHERMAN:

Clanton has crossed the Coosa at Gadsden with 1,200 men and gone north. My cavalry is following him.

WM. VANDEVER,

Brigadier-General.