in front must be patrolled thoroughly, and every precaution taken to prevent surprise or accident. On the march and after arriving at Chitwood's the commanding officer of this detail must use his best endeavors to acquaint himself with the locality of any of the forces of the enemy near him, and so make his dispositions as to insure the objects stated above.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. B. DRAKE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

MEMPHIS, TENN., August 21, 1863.

Colonel JOHN A. RAWLINS,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Vicksburg, Miss.:

COLONEL: Major General U. S. Grant directs me to say that he desires you to order General Osterhaus, who will hand you this note, to report to Major General W. T. Sherman, commanding Fifteenth Army Corps, for assignment.

I have the honor to be, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

T. S. BOWERS,

Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

AUGUST 21, 1863.

General DENNIS,

Black River Bridge:

I did intend to ride down to your camp to-day, but must go up to Oak Ridge. Watch well the health of your camps, and on the appearance of malarious disease let brigades or even divisions move. The ground north of Clear Creek, on the road from Bovina to Tiffin, appears to be healthy and suitable for camps, but as long as you are pretty well, your present camps are best placed.

W. T. SHERMAN,

Major-General.

CIRCULAR.] HDQRS. FOURTH DIVISION, 15TH ARMY CORPS,

Camp Sherman, Miss., August 21, 1863.

It is reported that the enemy's cavalry, 2,000 strong, are in the vicinity of Black River, with the intention of crossing at some favorable point and making a dash on our outposts and camps, should the opportunity present itself. Commanders of brigades need not communicate this to their commands until further orders.

By order of Brigadier General Hugh Ewing:

J. D. McFARLAND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

(To brigade commanders, Fourth Division, Fifteenth Army Corps.)

7 R R-VOL XXX, PT III