CITY POINT, VA., November 12, 1864-9 p. m.

Honorable EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

Would it not be well to send a dispatch to General Dix, stating that dispatches are just received from Sherman from Kingston, stating that he still held Atlanta, and the road to his rear, having sent back sufficient force to take care of Hood?

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

CITY POINT, VA., November 12, 1864.

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Chief of Staff:

I presume you have sent instructions to General Foster in accordance with General Sherman's request. I think it will have a good effect to make the attempt to get into Pocotaligo even if it should not succeed entirely. If the troops cannot get through, they can keep the enemy off General Sherman a little, as Derby held the editor of the San Diego Herald, or as Sturigs kept Forrest off our communications in Middle Tennessee.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, Kingston, Ga., November 12, 1864.

General HOWARD,

Smyrna:

I start this morning. As soon as all the trains have passed north you may being the work on the railroad. I want your army across the Chattahoochee on the THIRD day. J. E. Smith and Corse are marching to-day. Davis will leave here in a few hours.

W. T. SHERMAN,

Major-General, Commanding.

GENERAL FIELD ORDERS
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE, Numbers 25.
Smyrna Camp-Ground, Ga., November 12, 1864.

Lieutenant Colonel William E. Strong, assistant inspector- general, senior officer present on the staff of the major-general commanding, is announced as chief of staff in the field, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly.

By order of Major General O. O. Howard:

SAML. L. TAGGART,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE, Numbers 165.
Smyrna Camp-Ground, Ga., November 12, 1864.

I. Each corps commander will now at once proceed to carry out the instructions of Major-General Sherman, and the orders from these head-