5. Corps commanders will give such orders and instructions as will prevent straggling, and will keep their commands and trains well closed up. * By order of Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard: SPECIAL ORDERS, } WM. T. CLARK, Assistant Adjutant-General. HDQRS. FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, In the Field, Ga., October 4, 1864. The corps will march to-morrow at 7 a. m. in the following order: First, the Second Division, Brigadier-General Hazen commanding; Battery F, Second Missouri Artillery; Battery A, First Illinois Artillery. Second, the First Division, Brigadier-General Woods commanding, with the balance of artillery following in rear. There is sufficient reason to believe that we will meet the enemy, whose cavalry were today on our left. Only ten wagons of ammunition for infantry will accompany the column. Ambulances will occupy the same positions as to-day, as will also the headquarters train. All other trains under proper guard and one quartermaster for each division will proceed to Marietta on the main road, following the Seventeenth Army Corps. By order of Maj. Gen. P. Joseph Osterhaus: Brigadier-General WEBSTER: FREDK. WHITEHEAD, CHATTANOOGA, October 4, 1864. Dispatch from Cartersville says enemy in strong force struck the road near Acworth, destroying several miles of track south from there, burned Big Shanty, and reports a rumor of the capture of Marietta. The bridge over Chattahoochee River is washed away, also part of bridge at Resaca. Dalton reports that the enemy crossed the road near that place yesterday, moving southeast, with train of 150 wagons. Two regiments were sent back through Dug Gap. General Corse's division has been ordered to Cartersville and Allatoona. Construction train has gone to rebuild bridge at Resaca. I cannot learn that any trains have been captured. General JOHN E. SMITH: J. E. SMITH, CARTERSVILLE, October 4, 1864. The enemy, in heavy force, has struck the railroad, and has destroyed several miles from Acworth south. One hundred and twenty-five feet of the Resaca and Chattahoochee bridges have been washed away. Wheeler has been demonstrating near Tilton and Dalton with, say, 200 men. General Sherman has ordered General Corse to re-enforce this division. I have ordered that the advance be sent to Allatoona and part of the troops to Resaca. Fears for the safety of 4,000 head of cattle being entertained I sent Colonel Heath from here and the Tenth Iowa from Kingston to Adairsville. Three droves have reached Kingston. Colonel Heath is with the other, four miles above Adairsville. Every thing quiet at Allatoona. Please send construction train to Resaca soon. There is but one locomotive at my disposal, and it will be used to move General Corse's division. GREEN B. RAUM, Brevet Brigadier-General. KENESAW MOUNTAIN, October 4, 1864. COMMANDING OFFICERS ALLATOONA, KINGSTON, AND ROME: This message was delayed on account of the fog. SHERMAN. FISH. KENESAW MOUNTAIN, October 4, 1864. General CORSE, Rome: Sherman directs you to move forward and join Smith's division with your entire command, using cars, if to be had, and burn provisions rather than lose them. VANDEVER, Genéral. Brig. Gen. J. E. SMITH: ROME, October 4, 1864. Your telegram of 2d instant just received. My latest information is that a large force is moving on Allatoona. In accordance with General Sherman's instructions, I will move my entire command to Cartersville and unite with General Raum in attacking the enemy from Allatoona direct. J. M. CORSE, ROME, October 4, 1864. General RAUM: I am expecting a train every moment. As soon as I can get ready will move 3,000 to 4,000 men. J. M. CORSE,- ROME, October 4, 1864. General RAUM: I will be with you as soon as I can get a train. Hold on and keep me advised hourly. The railroad will be in condition to move troops in an hour. Instruct all guards to destroy all bridges, except one we have to cross to reach Allatoona. CORSE, Brigadier-General. HDQRS. FOURTH DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Col. ROGER MARTIN, Commanding First Brigade: You will proceed to the depot at this place with your command immediately, taking cars for Kingston, from thence reporting to the commanding officer of your division. It is desired that you load the men and hasten forward with as much dispatch as possible. By order of John M. Corse, brigadier-general, commanding: L. H. EVERTS, Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General. HDQRS. FOURTH DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Rome, Ga., October 4, 1864. COMMANDING OFFICER FIRST ALABAMA CAVALRY: You will move, with your command, supplied with three days' rations, to Kingston at once. You will remain at Kingston until you receive further orders. By order of John M. Corse, brigadier-general, commanding: A. P. VAUGHAN, Lieutenant and Acting Aide-de-Camp. HDQRS. FOURTH DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Rome, Ga., October 4, 1864. COMMANDING OFFICER NINTH ILLINOIS MOUNTED INFANTRY: You will move, with your command, supplied with three days' rations, to Kingston at once. You will remain at Kingston until you receive further orders. By order of John M. Corse, brigadier-general, commanding: A. P. VAUGHAN, Lieutenant and Acting Aide-de-Camp. HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, General VANDEVER: I am at Smyrna. General Howard's troops coming up. Is General Stanley with you or near? Telegraph me your exact position. W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General, Commanding. SMYRNA CAMP-GROUND, October 4, 1864-8.30 a. m. Marietta: General VANDEVER, General Sherman directs that you move your command to Kenesaw leaving a picket of fifty men in Marietta. D. S. STANLEY. Major-General SHERMAN: NEAR KENESAW, October 4, 1864. Enemy moving in considerable force to our right. Elliott is between Big Shanty and Kenesaw, on my left. I am skirmishing with enemy Have not heard from Elliott direct. now. WM. VANDEVER, Major-General SHERMAN: NEAR KENESAW, October 4, 1864. Stanley at Marietta. The enemy in strong force in my front all the morning. This p. m. he moved off to Allatoona. General Elliott reports him in too strong force for dismounted cavalry. Prisoners say the force in my front was French's division. From top of Kenesaw heavy bodies of infantry, artillery, and cavalry could be seen going north. The movement to my right was a feint. My headquarters at foot of Kenesaw, a part of the command occupying ridge north. WM. VANDEVER, Brigadier-General. HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, General VANDEVER: Send a messenger to General Elliott and tell him I want to know where General Kilpatrick is, and how his cavalry is disposed. He should not attempt to attack lines, but should strike in between Dallas and Allatoona, by Lost Mountain.. General SHERMAN: W. T. SHERMAN, NEAR KENESAW, October 4, 1864-8 p. m. Dispatch received. Have sent staff officer to Kenesaw, and forwarded your message to General Elliott by courier. General SHERMAN: WM. VANDEVER, Brigadier-General. NEAR KENESAW, October 4, 1864. Gen General Elliott has all his force near west base of mountain. erals Kilpatrick and Garrard are both with him, so couriers report. WM. VANDEVER, SIGNAL OFFICER: KENESAW MOUNTAIN, October 4, 1864-9.30 a. m. What do you observe this a. m.? Have you learned anything from Big Shanty! VANDEVER, General. General VANDEVER: KENESAW MOUNTAIN, October 4, 1864-10 a. m. A large force of the enemy is hard at work burning the railroad both sides Big Shanty. KENESAW MOUNTAIN, October 4, 1864-2 p. m. COMMANDING OFFICER, Allatoona: Sherman is moving in force. Hold out. Yes; work as far as Kingston and Rome. The bridge at Resaca gone. Wheeler at Tilton yesterday after drove of cattle. Has partly destroyed track and wires. OPERATOR. KENESAW MOUNTAIN, October 4, 1864-5.25 p. m. General VANDEVER: The rear guard of cavalry is moving off on Acworth road. FISH, Signal Officer. KENESAW MOUNTAIN, October 4, 1864-6.30 p.m. COMMANDING OFFICER, Allatoona: General Sherman says hold fast. We are coming. VANDEVER, General. NASHVILLE, October 1, 1864-8.30 p. m. Lieutenant-General GRANT, City Point: I reached this place yesterday p. m., having been ordered here by General Sherman to organize the troops in this district to drive Forrest from our lines of communication, whilst he, with the main army, watched the movements of the main rebel army in the vicinity of Atlanta. While at Chattanooga I succeeded in getting General Morgan's divis ion, of the Fourteenth Army Corps, as far as Athens on the 2d instant, |