[First indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Nashville, November 16, 1864. Respectfully referred to Major-General Thomas, with request that he will intimate the nature of the reply he desires made. By order of Major-General Sherman: J. D. WEBSTER, Brigadier-General. [Second indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Respectfully returned to Brigadier-General Webster, chief of staff, with remark that he will telegraph Colonel Clark to order all detachments and men belonging to the Army of the Tennessee who report to him at Louisville to report to Major-General Steedman, at Chattanooga, for duty. By command of Major-General Thomas: ROBERT H. RAMSEY, NASHVILLE, TENN., November 16, 1864-11 p. m. (Received 12.15 a. m. 17th.) Nothing to report to-night, except that small bodies of enemy's infantry have been thrown forward, a brigade being at Waynesborough. Rivers falling as fast as they rose. Railroad and telegraph all right to Knoxville and Dalton. J. C. VAN DUZER. Major-General SCHOFIELD, NASHVILLE, November 16, 1864-10 a. m. Pulaski: Your dispatch of yesterday just received. Send me the first reliable news you have from Hatch. Smith telegraphed me two days ago that his troops had been delayed by bad roads and impassable streams, but that he would make all possible speed. I cannot say when he will be here. GEO. H. THOMAS, Major-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding. Major-General THOMAS, Nashville: PULASKI, TENN., November 16, 1864. Your dispatch of 10 a. m. just received. My latest news from Hatch was that of 2 p. m. of yesterday, which was sent you this morning, viz: that the enemy's movements of the day before was only a reconnais sance, and that only Lee's corps is on this side of the river, at Florence. The report, I presume, is correct. I have heard nothing of Capron yet, but expect a report soon. I have ordered him to communicate with Hatch, and, if they unite, to act under his orders. If Forrest is not this side of the river Hatch may be able to accomplish his purpose of enveloping Florence. Col. S. A. STRICKLAND, Columbia: J. M. SCHOFIELD, PULASKI, TENN., November 16, 1864. Your dispatch of to-day received. The general desires the bridge. made secure for artillery. WM. M. WHERRY, VI. In collecting forage from the country in this vicinity citizens must not be deprived of the necessary forage for their animals and food for their families. Foraging parties will take only the surplus over that required by the citizens for private use. Foraging parties must invariably be in charge of commissioned officers, who will be held responsible that no unauthorized acts are committed by the men under their charge. Receipts will in all cases be given for the forage taken from citizens. No private property, except forage for animals, will be taken for the use of the troops, unless, in special cases of necessity, it be ordered by the highest commander present. Irregular foraging and marauding are strictly prohibited and will be severely punished. GENERAL: The order relating to passing citizens into and soldiers out of our lines seems to be almost entirely disregarded. You will again instruct your pickets to pass no citizen inside the lines without they present permission to come from General Schofield, General Stanley, General Johnson, the post commander, or some other higher authority. When citizens come to the picket-line they will be required to state to the picket officer their names and reasons for desiring to enter our lines; the officer will forward this to the post commander, and if he deems their business of sufficient importance he will give an order to admit them; if not, they will not be admitted; neither will they be permitted to pass outside without passes from the authorities admitting them. Soldiers will not be permitted to pass outside the lines without passes from the authorities above mentioned or the division commanders. By order of Major-General Stanley: W. H. SINCLAIR, Major and Assistant Adjutant-General. (Same to Generals Wagner and Wood.) OFFICE SPECIAL INSPECTOR OF CAVALRY, Major-General WILSON, Commanding Cavalry Corps, Nashville, Tenn.: GENERAL: I sent a communication yesterday to headquarters Department of the Cumberland, which I should be glad for you to see, as in it I presented some facts in relation to the remounting and equip ping your command, which you should consider, and which must enter into any calculation you may make with regard to the time necessary to accomplish the object you have in view. You will see that articles of equipment ordered as far back as September have not been received. Blankets were ordered here from New York on the 27th of October by express (twenty days ago), and which should have reached here in five days, have not yet arrived. I could have started Watkins several days ago but for the want of blankets. This one thing will show you the nature of the difficulties which stand in the way of speedy action. The Cavalry Bureau and Ordnance Department have done all in their power to facilitate matters, but the transportation department would seem to be badly conducted. Lieutenant Babbitt some time since made an application for a special agent to be sent with all articles hereafter sent, with directions to look after the missing horses. I should have gone to Nashville on Monday or Tuesday, but for the fact that Major Price telegraphed me he would be here on the 14th, and I waited intending to go down with him to see you. I am daily expecting him. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. P. CHAMBLISS, Major and Special Inspector Cavalry, Mil. Div. of the Mississippi. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY Corps, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Nashville, Tenn., November 16, 1864. III. Brig. Gen. Joseph F. Knipe, U. S. Volunteers, having reported to Brevet Major-General Wilson for duty, in accordance with Special Orders, No. [313], from headquarters Department of the Cumberland, is hereby assigned to the command of the Seventh Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi. IV. Brigadier-General Knipe, commanding Seventh Cavalry Divis ion, Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi, will proceed to Memphis, Tenn., on business intrusted him by the major-general commanding. Having accomplished this duty he will return to these headquarters. * * * By command of Brevet Major-General Wilson: E. B. BEAUMONT, Major and Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, Mount Pleasant, November 16, 1864. (Via Columbia.) I arrived here last evening. Major Tompkins reported late from Lawrenceburg; he will report to you in person.* Train came in by way of Columbia; cross-roads impassable. Since Tompkins left scouts have reported from various points. The most reliable information is that the rebel force at Waynesborough was three regiments, under Colonel Rucker, sent across the Tennessee River, at Perryville, by Forrest, as he fell back up the river from Johnsonville. This force passed through Ashland on Friday; thence to Waynesborough, crossing the river somewhere above. Forrest was at Cherokee road; had crossed a part of his forces to the north side of Tennessee River, near Tuscumbia, on Friday at 12 o'clock, when, his bridges getting out of order, he was detained for repairs. Have out heavy scouts at Lawrenceburg and toward Waynesborough; have sent teams back to Columbia for bread and other rations. We could get no bread either at Pulaski or Columbia on our way through. I shall move forward with the balance of command as soon as the train comes up. Guerrillas reported in numbers in the hills between here and Lawrenceburg, which makes it necessary to move with caution to save the railroad and my trains. H. CAPRON, (Same to General Schofield.) Colonel, Commanding Brigade. Major-General THOMAS: HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY DIVISION, The enemy moving his picket-line to the rear on the Waynesborough road last night at dark induced me to attack; did so about midnight, captured five prisoners, and found enemy in force. I am satisfied there is but one corps on this side of the river-Lee's, and that a weak one, with about 4,000 cavalry. Johnson's division, directly in my front, is not a large one, although it seems to be made up of old regiments. We shall make an attempt to carry out the pontoon bridge at Florence with heavy rafts to-night. Two attempts have already been made, both of which were nearly successful. Very truly, your obedient servant, (Same to General Schofield.) EDWARD HATCH, *This last clause to Schofield only. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY DIVISION, Major-General THOMAS: We drove in the pickets of the enemy on the Florence and Waynesborough road this afternoon. Captured two prisoners, of the Seventh Tennessee Cavalry, who say the brigade they belong to is Rucker's; that this brigade is at Florence and is part of Forrest's command. Í know the brigade is composed of the Seventh, Twelfth, Fifteenth Tennessee Cavalry, and Forrest's old regiment; it crossed at Perryville. Forrest is marching up the river; his main column was thirty miles yesterday from Tuscumbia, on the way to Florence. Cheatham's corps was crossing the river to-day. There are two corps over to-night; the third is under marching orders to come over. Forrest was at Florence yesterday in person. They say Hood is to advance to-morrow. A large wagon train crossed the bridge yesterday, mostly loaded with rations. A free negro also, found inside the enemy's line of pickets, corroborates this information. They say Forrest's cavalry is very large; 10,000 men the lowest estimate. Very truly, your obedient servant, EDWARD HATCH, (Same to General Schofield.) HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE OHIO, Brig. Gen. EDWARD HATCH, It Commanding Cavalry Division, near Bough's Mills : GENERAL: As I wrote you yesterday, I have ordered Colonel Capron to open communication with you and act under your orders. would be very well indeed if you could accomplish the purpose stated in your letter of 2 p. m. yesterday, viz: to extend your right to the Tennessee, so as to envelop the enemy at Florence. But, as I understand your position and that of the enemy, this can hardly be practicable. It is reported that a considerable portion, at least, of Forrest's force has crossed the river above Clifton and is now on Indian Creek. My main object in sending Colonel Capron below Mount Pleasant was to watch that force. I have received no report from him yet. You prob ably may have more accurate information on that subject than I have. You may use Colonel Capron's troops as you think best, only do not leave open the roads toward Columbia and Nashville from any position the rebel cavalry may occupy. Very respectfully, J. M. SCHOFIELD, HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY DIVISION, I am directed by Major-General Thomas to apply to you for transportation to haul grain from Pulaski to this command. I think you will decide the distance and heavy roads will render this ineffectual. If, however, a small train could be furnished us we could undoubtedly |