ROSSVILLE, September 21, 1863.

General ROSECRANS:

The enemy have made an attack with musketry on here directly in front of the forks. Some artillery firing to the left.

ARTHUR C. DUCAT,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Inspector-General.

HEADQUARTERS CHIEF OF CAVALRY,
Rock Creek Ford, September 21, 1863-2.15 p.m.

General GARFIELD:

GENERAL: We have a hell of a front here. We will do the best we can. Their skirmishers are along my whole front. A soldier who left Crawfish Spring this morning and stole past them says two divisions of Longstreet's corps left there early this morning on this road.

ROBT. B. MITCHELL,

Brigadier-General, Chief of Cavalry.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Chattanooga, September 21, 1863.

Brig. General R. B. MITCHELL:

Is Watkins watching the gaps in the Lookout Valley? If not send him up the Nickajack Trace and along the top of the mountain as far as Cooper's Gap to observe what, if anything, is going on in the valley or vicinity. Have him report often and fully all he sees, and reply yourself to this communications by return courier.

By order of Major-General Rosecrans:

FRANK S. BOND,

Major, and Aide-de-Camp.

CHATTANOOGA, September 21, 1863-2.20 p.m.

General BURNSIDE:

Dispatched you this morning by Hicks, stating that the enemy after two days' hard fighting, in which all our available troops had been repeatedly engaged, our center and the right was routed. Our left maintained its position till night and retired to Rossville, where we are now in position, and at this time heavy skirmishing is reported. You had better join me at once by the west side Tennessee River. Should we have to fall back you will have to vacate East Tennessee. Enemy outnumbered us greatly. The battle was one of the hardest of the war.

W. S. ROSECRANS,

Major-General.

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, September 21, 1863-3 p.m.

Major-General ROSECRANS,

Chattanooga, Tenn.:

Nothing heard from General Burnside since the 19th. He was then sending to your aid all his available force. It is hoped that you