HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field Kingston, Ga., November 10, 1864-12. 30 a. m.

Major General GEORGE H. THOMAS,

Commanding Department of the Cumberland, Nashville, Tenn.:

Telegram received. General Sherman directs that Seventy-second Illinois Volunteers report to General A. J. Smith. It is too late for them to join General Howard now.

HENRY HITCHCOCK,

Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

CHATTANOOGA, November 10, 1864.

Brigadier-General WHIPPLE,

Chief of Staff:

I arrived here at 4 this morning. Have seen General Curft. He will send about 1,000 men to the front to-night. Arrangements have been made to ship the necessary arms with the men. The organization of the convalescents is proceeding well. I will make a detailed report as soon as the organization is completed, probably in two or three days.

A. VON SCHRADER,

Lieutenant Colonel and Asst. Insp. General, Dept. of the Cumberland.

NASHVILLE, TENN., November 10, 1864-2 p. m.

Colonel W. E. MERRILL,

Chief Engineer Department of the Cumberland, Chattanooga:

Construct as rapidly as you can a train of canvas pontoon-boats of from 1,200 to 1,500 feet in length, for immediate service with the troops in this locality. I wish you to ship on board a train for Columbia twelve of the Cincinnati pontoon-boats, of which you say you have seventy-five, at once. The people of Columbia have permitted their bridge to be carried off, and this is to replace it, and it must be done speedily to enable troops and stock to cross the river. Answer.

GEO. H. THOMAS,

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

CHATTANOOGA, November 10, 1864.

Major-General THOMAS:

Dispatch received. Will be attended to at once. Will telegraph when the boats start.

Respectfully,

W. E. MERRILL,

Colonel and Chief Engineer Department of the Cumberland.

MOUND CITY, ILL., November 10, 1864-9 p. m.

Major-General THOMAS:

Your telegram of the 7th just received. I learned this afternoon that Fitch's light DIVISION did not go above Johnsville, but returned to Smithland to convoy thirty army transports to Nashville. Shirk have-