NASHVILLE, TENN., November 9, 1864-10 a. m.

Brigadier General EDWARD HATCH,

Taylor's Spring, Ala., via Pulaski:

Your dispatch of 9. 30 a. m. of yesterday received. If the attack on the enemy you propose has not been made by you, I would prefer that you make no serious demonstration until we can get ready to support you. You can, however, keep the enemy alive to your presence, and that you are still about. I wish, however, that you would secure all the information you can concerning the enemy and his movements.

GEO. H. THOMAS,

Major-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Nashville, Tenn., November 9, 1864-3 p. m.

Brigadier General E. HATCH,

Taylor's Springs, via Pulaski:

I want your scouts to locate the enemy as accurately as possible, particularly to ascertain whether or not Tuscumbia is occupied in any force, also whether or not there are any troops along the railroad toward Iuka, and whatever or not there is any force at Eastport and Iuka, and how strong.

GEO. H. THOMAS,

Major-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.

TAYLOR'S SPRINGS, ALA., November 9, 1864.

(Via Pulaski.)

Major-General THOMAS:

I moved my entire command forward this morning to the four main crossings on Shoal Creek, found the water had risen during the night, and continued to rise so rapidly horses could not for anywhere. The enemy's pickets were posted at all the fords-mostly cavalry, which was easily driven back. A prisoner from the Sixty- THIRD Virginia reports one corps and one DIVISION of infantry on this side of the Tennessee, with about 2,000 cavalry. The balance of Hood's army on the south bank. I have not heard from the party in boats sent last night to cut Hood's pontoons, or the detachment sent round the enemy's left flank to pick them up.

EDWARD HATCH,

Brigadier-General.

HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Nashville, Tenn., November 9, 1864.

Brigadier General E. HATCH,

Commanding Fifth Cavalry DIVISION:

GENERAL: This will be handed to you by Lieutenant Noyes, of my staff. Please communicate freely with him in regard to what you may wish for your DIVISION. In reorganizing the cavalry I shall do all in my power to put in upon an efficient basis, and as a matter of course I must depend upon the DIVISION commanders for their hearty support and co-