HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, TWENTY-FIRST ARMY CORPS,
Gordon's Mills, September 14, 1863-5 p.m.

Captain P. P. OLDERSHAW,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

CAPTAIN: Colonel Harker is out on a little reconnaissance to the front; has had a few straggling shots, no more. He will be in by sundown. I only brought out with me a very light train, so have no wagons to send back; but have ordered Captain Myers to load five days' supplies in wagons he has with him, and send out with General Cruft's command. Have not been able to get any information to-day of importance.

Respectfully, &c.,

TH. J. WOOD,

Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-FIRST ARMY CORPS,
September 14, 1863-12.25 a.m. (Received 3 a.m. and 2.05 a.m., respectively.)

General PALMER and VAN CLEVE,

Second and Third Divisions:

GENERAL: The general commanding directs that you at once, on receipt of this, prepare your command to move. Orders will be sent to you in a short time. As soon as your command is ready please send a staff officer to report.

I am, sir, very respectfully,your obedient servant,

R. LODOR,

Lieutenant Colonel, and A. I. G., Twenty-first Army Corps, A. A. A. G.

HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-FIRST ARMY CORPS,
September 14, 1863-4.40 a.m.

Major General J. M. PALMER,

Comdg. Second Division, Twenty-first Army Corps:

SIR: You will move at once upon Missionary Ridge, in accordance with orders herewith inclosed.* General Van Cleve will follow you immediately. Send your wagons, except your ammunition, by the road spoken of in the orders accompanying this, and which runs across Missionary Ridge by way of McWithers' to Henson's. Send a brigade by this road as a guard, with instructions to be cautious. Van Cleve will be ordered to send his wagons by same route and by same guard. The Fourth Regular Cavalry will follow you and will be ordered to report to you. Colonel Minty will take the northern road and follow the wagons, and will be instructed to report to the brigadier-general commanding on this road. Instruct your brigadier-general on this road to open communication with you. All should be silently and cautiously conducted.

T. L. CRITTENDEN,

Major-General, Commanding.

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*See p.607.

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64 R R-VOL XXX, PT III