to date in case I have to go to Chattanooga. I hear from the interior [merely a rumor] that Rosecrans advanced from the Tennessee, but was compelled to fall back to Chattanooga. The flag of truce which goes out to-day can bring more definite news.

W. T. SHERMAN,

Major-General.

SHERMAN'S HEADQUARTERS, September 25, 1863.

Colonel J. CONDIT SMITH,

Bridge:

Prepare to move our whole establishment up to Memphis and across to Chattanooga. Everything will go, all my staff and two more divisions. Keep it to yourself, but begin to move things into Vicksburg. I will give more specific orders soon. Have all transportation ready.

W. T. SHERMAN,

Major-General.

SHERMAN'S HEADQUARTERS, [September 25, 1863.]

Colonel MORTON,

Black River Bridge:

Don't bring out any more provisions; get ready to turn over everything to the brigade commissaries of the Third Division. We will all move by water to Memphis and thence inland.

W. T. SHERMAN,

Major-General.

SHERMAN'S HEADQUARTERS, [September 25, 1863.]

General OSTERHAUS,

Black River Bridge:

I have ordered two companies of cavalry to relieve the picket at Batcheldor's, below Silver Creek; you can call our pickets in.

W. T. SHERMAN,

Major-General.

GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRS. FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,

No. 74. Camp on Black River, September 25, 1863.

The Second and Fourth Division of this corps will be held in readiness to embark for Memphis and move thence to the interior.

The sick and surplus baggage will be at once moved to Black River Railroad Bridge, and thence by rail to Vicksburg to the levee below the steamboat landing.

The quartermaster's department will turnish the necessary transportation.

The troops will be prepared to strike camp at a moment's notice, and march to Vicksburg for embarkation.

By order of Major General W. T. Sherman:

R. M. SAWYER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.