troops rapidly in every direction and hurry forward supplies. Without
them many of the results which soon followed could not have been
accomplished.

From the Sheriff the keys of the jail were demanded and a large number
of prisoners, loyal Tennesseans mostly, were liberated. Some of these at
once enlisted in the Union army. Huntsville was ours "and fairly won,"
without a casualty on our side or loss of any kind. * * *

In August, 1864, the army constituting "The Military Division of the
Mississippi," commanded by Gen. Sherman, lay in front of Atlanta. The
effort to flank Hood out of his position had not been successful and
Gen. Sherman announced a new plan of operations. In the new deal Gen.
Thomas was assigned to the left, Schofield given the right, and Howard
the center. Of the Cavalry, Gen. Garrard commanded the Second Division
and Gen. Kilpatrick the Third. A raid of formidable proportions was
projected on the Macon railroad, and Kilpatrick was to engineer this.
Gen. Sherman had said, in a message to Thomas, Aug. 16th, "I do think
our cavalry should now break the Macon road good." This raid of
Kilpatrick's, though not as full in fruition as was hoped, was of great
importance and is the subject of the following chapter. It was an
undertaking brilliant in conception, thrilling in its experience, and
deserving of historical record. Of the 2d Cavalry Division one Brigade
was absent. The 1st and 2d Brigades traveled all night the 17th of
August to Sand Town, where Kilpatrick was with the 3d Division. On the
morning of the 18th the following circular was published.

"HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY EXPEDITION, }
DEP'T CUMBERLAND, }
SAND TOWN, GA., Aug. 18, '64. }

Soldiers! You have been selected from the Cavalry Divisions of the
Army of the Cumberland; you have been well organized, equipped, and
rendred formidable, at great expense, to accomplish an object vital
to the success of our cause. I am about to lead you, not on a
_raid_, but on a deliberate and well combined attack upon the
enemy's communications, in order that he may be unable to supply
his army in Atlanta. Two expeditions have already failed. We are
the last Cavalry hope of the army. Let each soldier remember this
and resolve to accomplish this, the great object for which so much
is risked, _or die trying_!

(Signed.) J. KILPATRICK,
Brig.-Gen. Commanding."

At dark t