Still, if he attempts to invade Middle Tennessee, I will hold Decatur, and be prepared to move in that direction; but, unless I let go of Atlanta, my force will not be equal to his.
W.T.SHERMAN, Major-General.
By this date, under the intelligent and energetic action of Colonel W.W.Wright, and with the labor of fifteen hundred men, the railroad break of fifteen miles about Dalton was repaired so far as to admit of the passage of cars, and I transferred my headquarters to Kingston as more central; and from that place, on the same day (November 2d), again telegraphed to General Grant: KINGSTON, GEORGIA, November 2, 1884.
Lieutenant-General U.S.GRANT, City Point, Virginia: If I turn back, the whole effect of my campaign will be lost.

By my movements I have thrown Beauregard (Hood) well to the west, and Thomas will have ample time and sufficient troops to hold him until the reenforcements from Missouri reach him.

We have now ample supplies at Chattanooga and Atlanta, and can stand a month's interruption to our communications.

I do not believe the Confederate army can reach our railroad-lines except by cavalry-raids, and Wilson will have cavalry enough to checkmate them.

I am clearly of opinion that the best results will follow my contemplated movement through Georgia.
W.T.SHERMAN, Major-General.
That same day I received, in answer to the Rome dispatch, the following: CITY POINT, VIRGINIA, November 2,1864--11.30 a.m.
Major-General SHERMAN: Your dispatch of 9 A.M.yesterday is just received.