Centre several days ago went toward Jacksonville. No troops passed center on the retreat, except the train guards. My troops have started back toward this place. I took a DIVISION within two miles of Centre, and a brigade to that place.

J. M. SCHOFIELD,

Major-General.

SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS,
HDQRS. ARMY OF THE OHIO, Numbers 140.
Cedar Bluff, Ala., October 26, 1864.

I. By direction of the secretary of war, Lieutenant Colonel H. C. Ransom, chief quartermaster Department of the Ohio, is hereby relieved from duty as such.

II. Lieutenant Colonel J. F. Boyd, chief quartermaster Twenty- THIRD Army Corps, and acting chief quartermaster army in the field, is hereby announced as chief quartermaster of the Department and Army of the Ohio.

* * * * *

By command of Major-General Schofield:

CLINTON A. CILLEY,

Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.

CHATTANOOGA, TENN., October 26, 1864.

Major-General THOMAS:

I send two regiments to report to General Granger to-night.

J. B. STEEDMAN.

HUNTSVILLE, October 26, 1864.

Major-General THOMAS:

The following telegram is received:

CLAYSVILLE, October 25, 1864 -7 p. m.

(Via Larkinsville 26th.)

James F. Barnard reports that four deserters, whose names are M. C. Johnson, Robert Martin, Samuel Maroney, and one more, name unknown, crossed at Deposit about 4,30 p. m. They state that they left Hood's army yesterday morning at Summit. They estimate his force at 30,000; he has pontoon train, and that it was understood that the army was to rest for two or three days and then cross at Whitesburg, Deposit, and this place. William Clapp knows deserters, and says they were reliable men before the war. The Fourteenth Alabama Cavalry is near Guntersville.

JOHN T. FISH,

Lieutenant, Commanding.

Barnard and Clapp are our scouts, and are reliable men.

R. S. GRANGER,

Brigadier-General.

HUNTSVILLE, October 26, 1864.

Major-General THOMAS:

Mr. Jolly, a Union citizen, who was over the river at Whitesburg with my permission yesterday, tells me he has no doubt but that the advance of Hood's army was yesterday at Red Hill or Summit, and he thinks will be at Summit to-night. Forrest, as informant thinks, will co-operate with Hood. All the information from the south side indicates the approach of Hood's army. I would respectfully suggest that 1,000