LOUDON, July 24, 1864. 
Captain AMMEN, 
Assistant Adjutant-General: 
Just received report from scouts. My men are now all together on Ball Play. The rebels are
reported to have broken up into small squads and scattered in different directions. The officer in
command says he has plenty of force. The rebels burned Captain Devine's (provost-marshal of
Monroe County) house last night. Their only object seems to be to steal and plunder. 
M. L. PATTERSON,
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Source: OFFICIAL RECORDS: Series 1, Vol 39, Part 2, Allatoona