HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Chattanooga, September 21, 1863-5.30 p.m.

Major General GEORGE H. THOMAS,

Comdg. Forces at Rossville:

GENERAL: Supposing you are assaulted in your present position, you will maintain it if possible till close of day; then quietly withdraw your command, Crittenden on the left, by the most practicable road or the fields, you by middle or right-hand road, both looking this way, and McCook by Chattanooga Valley road. Troops should use the fields, and everything should be done as quietly as possible. Fires should be built along the present lines-not excessive, and not on the roads. Each corps to leave grand guards and outposts, to be withdrawn only by order, and certainly not till late in the morning, retiring as skirmishers. Each corps will detail not less than one brigade, more if necessary, to contest every inch of the road. These brigades to be of picked men, with section of artillery, at lest, to be used in commanding positions as you retire. Fuller details have been sent by courier.

J. A. GARFIELD,

Brigadier-General, Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS, DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Rossville, September 21, 1863-5.40 p.m.

Major-General ROSECRANS,

Commanding Department:

Your dispatch just received. I will make all the dispositions I can before dark. Please have places assigned for the troops as they arrive, with officers to direct them to their respective places.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. H. THOMAS,

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

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

Brig. General H. P. VAN CLEVE:

The general commanding directs you to station sentinels and build a line of fires to guide General Crittenden's command in on the Missionary Mills road; also along the cut and embankment of the railroad nearest the river. A few small fires will answer the purpose. Lieutenant Burroughs, of the Engineers, will be sent with this to point out the line.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. GODDARD,

Lieutenant-Colonel, and Assistant Adjutant-General.

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

Colonel J. T. WILDER:

The general commanding directs you to demolish the rebel batteries on the south side of the river at the ford near Friar's Island. Dig down the works, so that the rebels cannot use them.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. GODDARD,

Lieutenant-Colonel, and Assistant Adjutant-General.