CONFEDERATE COMMUNICATION
NEAR ATLANTA, July 16, 1864.
His Excellency the PRESIDENT,
Richmond:
Your dispatch of to-day received. The slight change in the enemy’s dispositions made since my dispatch of the 14th to General Cooper was reported to General Bragg yesterday. It was a report from General Wheeler that Schofield’s corps had advanced eastwardly about three miles from Isham’s Ford and intrenched. As the enemy has double our number, we must be on the defensive. My plan of operations must, therefore, depend upon that of the enemy. It is mainly to watch for an opportunity to fight to advantage. We are trying to put Atlanta in condition to be held for a day or two by the Georgia militia, that army movements may be freer and wider.
J. E. JOHNSTON.