headquarters army of Tennessee, Office of the Chief-of-Staff, August 31st, 1864--6 P. M.
Lieutenant-General Hardee, Commanding, &c.:
General Hood directs that you return
Lee's corps to this place.
Let it march by two o'clock to-morrow morning.
Remain with your corps and the cavalry, and so dispose of your forces as best to protect
Macon and communications in rear.
Retain provision and ordnance trains.
Please return
Reynolds' brigade, and, if you think you can do so and still accomplish your object, send back a brigade or so of your corps also.
There are some indications that the enemy may make an attempt upon
Atlanta to-morrow.
Very respectfully, &c.,
General Hood directs that you return
Lee's corps to this place.
Let it march by two o'clock to-morrow morning.
Remain with your corps and the cavalry, and so dispose of your force as to best protect the Macon Railroad and communications in rear, and retain provision and ordnance trains.
Please return
Reynolds' brigade.
Should
Lee have been badly cut up to-day, and you think you can spare them, send back some of the troops of your own corps.
There are indications that the enemy may make an attempt on
Atlanta to-morrow.
Very respectfully, &c.,
Enemy at Rough-and-Ready in considerable force.
Morgan thinks that they will attack Eastpoint early to-morrow.
Send back
Lieutenant-Colonel McMicken,
Chief Quartermaster.
Respectfully, &c.,
F. A. S., C. S.