HEADQUARTERS SIGNAL CORPS,
October 5, 1863-9.30 p.m.

Captain THOMS:

I have heard no guns. The officers on this station say they heard two reports, and supposed them to be our own guns, in the direction of the fort on Rossville road, occupied by General Negley's troops.

Yours, respectfully,

JESSE MERRILL,

Captain and Chief Signal Officer.

STATION NEAR LOOMIS' BATTERY,

October 5, 1863.-10.30 p.m.

Captain MERRIL:

From fort occupied by General Wood's division I observed a great many rebel camp-fires on Missionary Ridge, on crest, side, and at base. Immediately in front of where large gun is mounted there were no fires for a mile in extent along the ridge, but many to the right and left. Those on the left are brighter and more scattered than those on the right, but not so numerous. At two places on the right the fires were arranged in order of camp, in one place forming three sides of a parallelogram. These fires extended well round to the south. I also heard wood-chopping in rebel lines in front of Fort Wood. The artillery firing was from Lookout Mountain; I think from the battery which fired last at Fort Negley. No fires on Lookout Mountain.

HOPKINS.

HEADQUARTERS SIGNAL STATION,
October 5, 1863-11.40 p.m.

Brigadier-General GARFIELD,

Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: The officer on station at Crane's Hill (Numbers 2.) reports that he has been sick in bed all day, in consequence of which he is not able to make any observations. Three reports of artillery have been heard here since last report (about twenty minutes ago), supposed to be from Lookout Mountain. The following report from station near Loomis' battery has just been received:

Captain MERRILL:

The firing is again from Lookout Mountain from same place. Could trace the shell through the air; it seems to have been fired at Fort Negley. Nothing else unusual.

HOPKINS.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JESSE MERRILL.

Captain and Chief Signal Officer.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Chattanooga, October 5, 1863.

Major General GEORGE H. THOMAS:

The general commanding desires you to see that our ammunition in the fort and in your batteries is not wasted. It is important that