On July 20, 1864, as Union forces under Maj. Gen. W.T. Sherman, USA, closed in on Atlanta, Brig. Gen. Kenner Garrard’s 2nd Cavalry Division was at Decatur, 6 miles east of the city, guarding bridges over the Chattahoochee River and picketing the left flank. Ordered that night to assemble his command and march to Covington to burn bridges over the Yellow and Ulcofauhachee (Alcovy) rivers and destroy the Georgia Railroad in that area, Garrard moved late on July 21. The next morning his men began the destruction, burning the depot and a newly built hospital center at Covington, along with 2,000 bales of cotton and large quantities of quartermaster and commissary supplies. After destroying 2 railroad bridges, 4 wagon bridges, 3 trains, and 6 miles of track, he turned north toward Loganville and arrived there about noon on July 23. After sending Minty’s brigade to Lawrenceville on the same mission, Garrard stripped the surrounding area of horses and mules, then returned to Decatur on July 24. The raid cut off all communication between Atlanta and Augusta and destroyed any hope that the Army of Tennessee, the hard-pressed defenders of Atlanta, might receive supplies or reinforcements from the Eastern Confederacy.