ABINGDON, August 22, 1864.

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General:

Brigadier General B. T. Johnson, of General Ransom's DIVISION cavalry, sends an officer to this department to collect all absentees, which includes the Thirty-fourth Virginia Battalion and Sixty-fourth Virginia Regiment Cavalry. To take these two commands from me at this time would weaken me greatly, and I earnestly request that I be permitted to retain them.

JOHN H. MORGAN.

AUGUST 22, 1864.

SECRETARY OF WAR,

Richmond:

Heavy firing at Fort Morgan this morning. Enemy's force at Pensacola, Ship Island, Dauphin Island, and near Fort Morgan, about 13,000. State forces coming very slowly; want now about 4,000 veteran infantry and much ammunition. Forrest went into Memphis yesterday; enemy lost 500; all of Washburn's staff captured, also 350 mules. Forrest lost 20.

D. H. MAURY,

Major-General.

MERIDIAN, August 22, 1864.

(Received 23d.)

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General:

The following received from General Wirt Adams from Rodney, august 20, 1864:

Crossing of troops indefinitely postponed by General Taylor, in consequence of the numerous desertions of his men.

D. H. MAURY,

Major-General.

AUGUST 22, 1864.

General J. B. HOOD,

Atlanta, Ga.:

Dispatch about Ferguson was in answer to one with your approval affixed. Want him to cover Mobile and Ohio Railroad. Heavy firing at Fort Morgan this morning. Four thousand veteran infantry will secure Mobile against enemy's present force. Forrest went into Memphis Sunday morning; enemy lost 500 men; all of Washburn's staff captured, also 350 mules. Forrest's loss 20. Nothing good from Taylor.

D. H. MAURY,

Major-General.

PANOLA, August 22, 1864.

Brigadier-General CHALMERS,

Springdale:

If enemy is falling back, pursue them hard.

N. B. FORREST,

Major-General.