information you may obtain from the Union men in the vicinity, and acting in accordance.

I send you by Captain Peirce rations for your entire command to include the 12th instant. You will act with energy and promptness in all your movements. Knowing the object of the expedition, I leave it entirely to your own good judgment. Report as often as practicable to these headquarters.

Respectfully,

JAMES S. MARTIN,

Colonel 111th Illinois Infantry, Commanding Post.

STEVENSON, ALA., September 4, 1863.

(Received 5 p.m.)

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief:

News just in from party of our cavalry sent to Kingston. They entered with Burnside's advance. Report boats had been collected at Loudon, and large force* seen [in] that direction. Forrest retired that way, and Buckner had crossed the Tennessee. They will probably concentrate in rear of Chattanooga. Burnside's cavalry should close down and cover our left flank. Is it not possible the Lee's movements are intended to cover the temporary detaching of troops to Bragg?

W. S. ROSECRANS,

Major-Genera, Commanding.

CAVE SPRING, ALA., September 4, 1863-11 p.m.

(Received 11.15 p.m.)

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief:

The troops are probably nearly in position this side of the river. Thomas near Trenton; Crittended near Whiteside's; two divisions of McCook's at Valley Head; Sheridan en route for that point. No reports have reached me this evening from the front,

W. S. ROSECRANS,

Major-General.

EDWARDS' HOUSE, ON ISLAND CREEK,

September 4, 1863-1.15 p.m.

Brigadier-General GARFIELD,

Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: I have the honor to report that the courier line is completed between Cave Spring and Bridgeport. It has three posts-one at Edwards', one at Club-foot Moore's, and one at Bridgeport, the last

---------------

*General Halleck's copy reads, "large fires seen," &c.

---------------