their infantry. There were immense clouds of dust seen in the direction of La Fayette yesterday. If I get any news from the cavalry, I will express it to you.

Very respectfully,

A. McD. McCOOK,

Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS TWENTIETH ARMY CORPS,
Near Alpine, September 13, 1863-12 m.

Major General GEORGE H. THOMAS,

Commanding Fourteenth Army Corps:

The inclosed is a copy of a dispatch* just sent to General Garfield. Please communicate with me as frequently as possible. I sent Colonel Harrison with the Thirty-ninth Indiana Mounted Infantry this morning to open communication with you, if possible, by way of Dougherty's Gap. I hope he has been successful.

Very respectfully,

A. McD. McCOOK,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS TWENTIETH ARMY CORPS,
Near Alpine, September 13, 1863-3 p. m.

Major General G. H. THOMAS,

Commanding Fourteenth Corps:

Your dispatch of 6.30 [6.05] this morning has just been received. I will move forward to your support as directed with two divisions with the least possible delay. My column will move by way of Dougherty's Gap at the head of McLemore's Cove, as this seems to be the most practicable route. Other dispositions had been already made, but are now being changed in conformity to your order, as it is the latest.

Respectfully,

A. McD. McCOOK,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS TWENTIETH ARMY CORPS,
Top of Mountain, near Alpine, September 13 1863-5 p. m.

Major General GEORGE H. THOMAS,

Commanding Fourteenth Army Corps:

GENERAL: The dispatch from General Garfield, with instructions to you, has just been received. From these instructions and from your request for me to join you at Stevens' Gap, I have but one route to pursue, and that is to descend Lookout Mountain at Winston's and march down Lookout Valley until I can join you. From all the information I can gain of the road from here to Dougherty's Gap, and the bad road from Dougherty's Gap over spurs to

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*See p. 603.

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