SEPTEMBER 18, 1863. (Received 4.15 p.m.?)

General McCOOK:

Move up.

W. S. ROSECRANS.

SEPTEMBER 18, 1863-4 p.m.

General McCOOK:

Your dispatch of 3 p.m. received. The general commanding intends in the two dispatches that you should move to Thomas' position and then hold yourself in readiness to move farther if necessary. Do so as soon as practicable.

GARFIELD,

Brigadier-General, and Chief of Staff.

SEPTEMBER 18, 1863.

Colonel GODDARD,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

Officer on mountain at Stevens' Gap reports small camp fires and large columns of dust. Thinks troops were moving north on State road toward Ringgold.

Respectfully,

JESSE MERRILL,

Captain, and Signal Officer.

SUMMERTOWN, September 18, 1863-2.40 p.m.

Captain MERRILL:

Twenty-five degrees east of south is where the troops camped all morning. Infantry, artillery, and cavalry; much dust about and beyond the gap, several miles from Gordon's Mills. Two columns of cavalry east, east of south, some 12 miles distant. Some artillery and musketry firing during the last hour in these directions. The rebel force lies toward the gap.

BACHTELL.

HIGH POINT, September 18, 1863-3.15 p.m.

Captain MERRILL:

I think Wilder has found the enemy, from the sound of his guns. Sound comes from his direction, 70 degrees east of north. The firing is desultory cannonading.

MEEKER.

HEADQUARTERS POST, Chattanooga, September 18, 1863.

Major-General GRANGER:

A soldier and citizen just in reports portion of a forage train captured, which I sent up the river to-day. I am just sending out cavalry to look the matter up. The enemy reported 150 strong.

Yours, respectfully,
G. D. WAGNER,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.