On July 22, 1864, Gen. McPerson and staff spent the forenoon in conference at Sherman's headquarters and inspecting Army of the Tenn. lines. At noon they were in an oak grove just south of the railroad, where Logan and Blair, each with his staff, joined them for luncheon. There McPherson wrote and dispatched an order to Dodge regarding the destruction of the Ga. R.R. This pleasant respite of discussion and cigars was broken by volley firing to the southeast. The Battle of Atlanta had begun. All mounted and rode away. McPherson, sending most of his staff on various missions, galloped toward the sound of the guns.