The field of battle continued to expand until it embraced about seven miles of ground.

Finally, however, and before night, the enemy was driven back into the city (*26).
It was during this battle that McPherson, while passing from one column to another, was instantly killed.

In his death the army lost one of its ablest, purest and best generals.
Garrard had been sent out with his cavalry to get upon the railroad east of Atlanta and to cut it in the direction of Augusta.

He was successful in this, and returned about the time of the battle.

Rousseau had also come up from Tennessee with a small division of cavalry, having crossed the Tennessee River about Decatur and made a raid into Alabama.