that from 15,000 to 20,000 rebel cavalry with 6 rebel generals and several pieces of artillery crossed the Tennessee River at that place last Wednesday. Our scouts in from Alexander's Ferry report a force at that place, on the opposite side of the river. Our scouts from Calhoun report a considerable force across the river at Charleston. There is evidently a heavy force at Cleveland. Can we not have re-enforcements?

WOLFORD,

Colonel, Commanding.

VICKSBURG, MISS., October 5, 1863-5 p.m. [Received 2.10 p.m., 12 th.]

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief:

Your dispatch of September 29 just received.* Before moving from here I will await the return of Colonel Wilson from Cairo. He may have direct orders for me.

U. S. GRANT,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE, Vicksburg, Miss., October 5, 1863.

Major General H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief, Washington, D. C.:

GENERAL: The bearer of this, L. Trager, is the person who has been travelling through the Southern States for several months, having been sent from La Grange, Tenn., by General W. S. Smith, and whose report was sent to you from Memphis by General Hurlbut about the 1st of this month.

Mr. Trager's account is full, and no doubt reliable, on account of his knowledge of the topography of the country throughout the South, the preparations made by the enemy to receive us at different points, the locality of all their armories, machine-shops, &c. I thought it would probably be well for him to visit Washington, and see you in person.

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

U. S. GRANT,

Major-General.

MEMPHIS, TENN., October 5, 1863-4 p.m. [Via Saint Louis, 7th. Received 4.35 p.m.]

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief:

General Sherman has come up with his force, and is now being pushed east with all the motive power we have. As his troops advance from Corinth the track-layers will go with them. I think it will be impossible to preserve the road to Decatur, unless guarded by his troops. I have not enough to cover it farther than Corinth. Johnston has pushed Loring's division to Okolona. They are probably

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*See second dispatch, Part III, p.923.

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7 R R-VOL XXX, PT IV