may be dropped from the rolls as deserters, and reported to their respective State authorities, to be incorporated into the conscripts.

By command of General Bragg:

GEO. G. GARNER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF EAST TENNESSEE.

Knoxville, May 8, 1862

General S. COOPER,
Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.:

I have been informed that there are 7,000 of the enemy near Sparta, now advancing, with 4,000 shortly to follow them.

E. KIRBY SMITH,

Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF EAST TENNESSEE,
Knoxville, May 8, 1862.

COMMANDING OFFICER,

Kingston, Tenn.:

SIR: Information has been received at these headquarters to the effect that about the 4th instant there was at Woodbury, in Cannon County, a large force of the enemy, supported by a considerable body in their rear, all moving on Sparta.

The commanding general directs that you lose no time in ascertaining whether or not this information is correct.

If correct, you will use every exertion in your power and spare no expense in finding out their number and movements.

Your scouts and spies should be sent out in all directions on your front, with instructions not to return without reliable information, which you will report instanter to these headquarters.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. CUNNINGHAM,

First Lieutenant Artillery.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Numbers 106.
Richmond, Va., May 8, 1862

* * * * * * *

XVI. Major General William W. Loring is relieved from duty with Major-General Huger, and is assigned to the command of the Department of Southwestern Virginia, embracing the commands of Brigadier-Generals Heth and H. Marshall.

* * * * * * *

By command of the Secretary of War:

JNumbers WITHERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.