Watkins is engaged with the enemy's cavalry, between five and six miles ahead. Says he is holding on, and wants the infantry to come on. Has sent back about a dozen prisoners.

Respectfully,

O. O. HOWARD,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD BRIGADE CAVALRY,
Trion Factory, October 18, 1864.

[general HOWARD:]

GENERAL: I have had a sharp fight with a superiior force, bust still hold mu ground. Please send me some infantry as quick as possible.

L. D. WATKINS,

Colonel, Commanding Brigade.

SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE, Numbers 140.
Near Summerville, Ga., October 18, 1864.

* * * *

II. This army will move forward to-morrow, as follows:

1. The Seventeenth Corps, Brigadier-General Ransom commanding, will have the advance, and will move at 6 a. m. to Summerville, and, taking the Alpine road, proceed toward Alpine, supporting the cavalry advance.

@. The Fifteenth Corps, Major-General Osterhaus commanding, will follow the Seventeenth Corps, moving at 8. 30 a. m.

The supply train will proceed to Summerville, and there await further orders.

* * * *

By order of Major General O. O. Howard:

WM. T. CLARK,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

ROME, October 18, 1864.

(Received 9 a. m.)

General J. E. SMITH:

General Sherman says the enemy are going south, at Summerville and Alpine, and he thinks will go to Gaylesville and so on down the Coosa. They may turn into Tennessee, but he thinks not. He wants Kilpatrick, near Stilesborough, advised of this fact; and that he has ordered 500,000 rations from Allatoona here for the use of his army. Please send Kilpatrick this word.

J. M. CORSE,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS, SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Numbers 256.
Near Summerville, Ga., October 18, 1864.

Brigadier-General Leggett, commanding THIRD DIVISION, will have the advance to-morrow, and will move his commpand promptly at 6 a. m. on the direct road to Summerville.