[CHAP. XVII.

HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT,
Edgefield, February 14, 1862.

Major-General CRITTENDEN, C. S. A.,

Commanding Chestnut Mound:

The general requires that every exertion be made, day and night, until you have ascertained the position and the strength and the direction of the march of General Thompson, U. S. Army. Report by the promptest means in your power.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. W. MACKALL,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT,
Edgefield, Tenn., February 14, 1862.

Major-General CRITTENDEN,

Commanding Chestnut Mound, Tenn.:

GENERAL: General Johnston orders you to move without delay on Nashville, halting within 10 miles of the city and reporting. Leave a rear guard of cavalry to protect the stores that you cannot move with your command. Let them get information of the enemy.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. W. MACKALL,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

FRANKLIN, February 14, 1862.

General JOHNSTON:

Enemy brave Baker's Hill, throwing shell all over town. General Hardee will probably be down on the tain which follows the train I came on. Had no notice of their approach till shells exploded at depot. They were reported to be 3,000 infantry, 260 cavalry. They are supposed to be the three regiments infantry, battalion cavalry, with artillery, that were reported as approaching via Tompkinsville three days ago. Shells about 10 inches diameter.

MARSHALL.

GENERAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS C. S. TROOPS, Numbers 1.
Iuka, Miss., February 14, 1862.

In pursuance of an order this day received from General A. S. Johnston, commanding Western Department, Brigadier General James R. Chalmers assumes command of all the Confederate States troops between Memphis and Tennessee River.

JAMES R. CHALMERS,

Brigadier-General.

[FEBRUARY 15, 1862.-For Bragg to Benjamin, in reference to operations in Kentucky, &c., see Series I, Vol. VI, p. 826.]