HEADQUARTERS SECOND CAVALRY DIVISION,
Gillem’s Bridge, May 21, 1864.

Captain DAYTON,

Aide-dc-Camp, Headquarters Division of the Mississippi:

CAPTAIN: I send to the major-general commanding a citizen who has lived in this section of country and can give good information concerning the roads and country south of this. Last night I reported a bridge five miles above this point and suggested, if essential to the movement of the army, that it be guarded. This morning General Thomas was here, and finding a road leading to it from his position, told me he wanted to use it and asked me to send a guard there to-morrow. On my return to camp I thought best not to wait until then, and at once ordered a force up there, but about 2 p. m. a rebel force came down on the other side and burnt it. I have had a party up the river on this side to near Cartersville. They met no enemy, but report the appearance of destruction of bridges, & e., up the river. I have had a force to the front and down the river on the other side. Rebel cavalry pickets are along the river toward Rome, about two miles out at some points and on the river at others. There is a party throwing up a bridge-head opposite to this bridge – it is from the Fifteenth Army Corps. This citizen I send can give you a good deal of information.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Brigadier General Kenner Garrard,
Brigadier-General Commanding Division.

MAY 21, 1864.
Major-General THOMAS:

It has just been reported to me that the bridge you were looking for this morning was burned to-day about 3 p. in. by a rebel regiment which came down on the other side of the river. The party sent up the Cartersville road went within two miles of that place. They saw no enemy this side of their eamp5 near Cartersville, and saw large fires in that neighborhood. You asked me to send a guard to the bridge to-morrow, but 1 sent it up at 4 o’clock this afternoon. It will be too late however. I reported about this bridge last night; and not knowing till I saw you it would be wanted, and having no orders about it I took no measures to secure it.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

K. GARRARD,
Brigadier- General.