During the partial investment of Atlanta, General Rousseau joined General Sherman with a force of cavalry from Decatur, having made a successful raid upon the Atlanta and Montgomery Railroad, and its branches near Opelika.  Cavalry raids were also made by Generals McCook, Garrard, and Stoneman, to cut the remaining Railroad communication with Atlanta.  The first two were successful the latter, disastrous.

General Sherman’s movement from Chattanooga to Atlanta was prompt, skilful, and brilliant.  The history of his flank movements and battles during that memorable campaign will ever be read with an interest unsurpassed by anything in history.

His own report, and those of his subordinate commanders, accompanying it, give the details of that most successful campaign.

He was dependent for the supply of his armies upon a single-track railroad from Nashville to the point where he was operating.  This passed the entire distance through a hostile country, and every foot of it had to be protected by troops.  The cavalry force of the enemy under Forrest, in Northern Mississippi, was evidently waiting for Sherman to advance far enough into the mountains of Georgia, to make a retreat disastrous, to get upon this line and destroy it beyond the possibility of further use.  To guard against this danger, Sherman left what he supposed to be a sufficient force to operate against Forrest in West Tennessee.  He directed General Washburn, who commanded there, to send Brigadier-General S. D. Sturgis in command of this force to attack him.  On the morning of the 10th of June, General Sturgis met the enemy near Guntown, Mississippi, was badly beaten, and driven back in utter rout and confusion to Memphis, a distance of about one hundred miles, hotly pursued by the enemy.  By this, however, the enemy was defeated in his designs upon Sherman’s line of communications.  The persistency with which he followed up this success exhausted him, and made a season for rest and repairs necessary.  In the meantime, Major-General A. J. Smith, with the troops of the Army of the Tennessee that had been sent by General Sherman to General Banks, arrived at Memphis on their return from Red River, where they had done most excellent service.  He was directed by General Sherman to immediately take the offensive against Forrest.  This he did with the promptness and effect which has characterized his whole military career.  On the 14th of July, he met the enemy at Tupelo, Mississippi, and whipped him badly.  The fighting continued through three days.  Our loss was small compared with that of the enemy.  Having accomplished the object of his expedition, General Smith returned to Memphis.

During the months of March and April this same force under Forrest annoyed us considerably.  On the 24th of March it captured Union City, Kentucky, and its garrison, and on the 24th attacked Paducah, commanded by Colonel S. G. Hicks, 40th Illinois Volunteers.  Colonel H., having but a small force, withdrew to the forts near the river, from where he repulsed the enemy and drove him from the place.