that he was mistaken. General Wagner will assume command. The general commanding is gratified at the magnanimous spirit displayed by General Wagner in this communication.

J. A. GARFIELD,

Brigadier-General, Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES,
In the Valley of the Tennessee,

Poe's Tavern, September 4, 1863- 9. p.m.

Lieutenant-Colonel GODDARD,

Department Headquarters:

A Tennessee conscript has just been brought to me, having deserted from the Forty-fifth Tennessee, and swam the river to-day. He says the troops across the river are moving down the river, each garrison relieving the one below it each day. Also the troops on the Upper Tennessee are concentrated at Charleston, having burned the Loudon Bridge. He is as intelligent man, and I believe truthful.

A am, respectfully,

W. B. HAZEN,

Brigadier-General.

HDQRS. THIRD DIV., TWENTY-FIRST ARMY CORPS,
Tennessee River Opposite Shellmound,

September 4, 1863-2.30 p.m. (Received 3.30 p.m.)

Captain P. P. OLDERSHAW:

Getting along finely. One brigade and battery crossed in four hours. The other brigade and battery half over. Ammunition to cross. Hope to be all over before 5 p.m. God bless you. One boat sunk; nobody harmed.

Yours, &c.,

H. P. VAN CLEVE,

Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.

HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, TWENTY-FIRST ARMY CORPS,
Shellmound, September 4, 1863-11.30 a.m.

Captain P. P. OLDERSHAW,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Twenty-first Army Corps:

CAPTAIN: We are getting along finely. Beatty will be over in an hour with one battery. We hope to get everything over by 4 o'clock.

I inclose Colonel Minty's report of the 31st ultimo. I send 2 mounted men back to report to you as couriers. We have a post here on the river bank at the crossing.

I am, captain, very respectfully,

E. A. OTIS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Inclosure.]

HDQRS. FIRST BRIGADE, SECOND CAVALRY DIVISION,
Smith's Cross-Roads, Tennessee Valley, August 31, 1863.

Captain OTIS,

Asst. Adjut. General, Third Div., Twenty-first Army Corps:

Two prisoners from Third Arkansas Cavalry (Armstrong's brigade) state that it is currently reported in their camp that Bragg is