CORINTH, October 17, 1863.

Major-General HURLBUT:

If we are to hold the road to and beyond Bear Creek, can you spare Spencer? We will have to put out at least one regiment of cavalry and one of mounted infantry to that front. Is there any prospect of supplying Spencer's place, as now I shall only have two regiments here when he goes?

G. M. DODGE,

Brigadier-General.

[Indorsement.]

Brigadier-General DODGE:

Keep Spencer for the present.

S. A. HURLBUT,

Major-General.

IUKA, MISS., October 17, 1863.

Major General W. T. SHERMAN:

The railroad will be completed to Bear Creek by 9 a.m. to-morrow. To protect the road there is stationed the First Brigade, General Woods'. At the Clear Creek crossing, 1 mile west of Bear, General Woods' pickets were attacked by rebel cavalry, 1 man of ours wounded. My mounted infantry is after the rebels and has not yet returned. There are several squads of irregular cavalry in the different creek valleys, and it would be very desirable if some of our cavalry could be had to clean the fellows out. I will make a reconnaissance beyond Bear to-morrow morning and prepare everything for an onward movement.

OSTERHAUS.

CIRCULAR.] HDQRS. FOURTH DIV.,15TH ARMY CORPS, Corinth, Miss., October 17, 1863.

This command will move to-morrow morning. First Brigade in advance, at 10 o'clock a.m., on the Iuka road via Farmigton. The Second Brigade will follow at 11 o'clock. Third Brigade will follow at 1 o'clock p.m., taking charges of division train. The advance will make as near as possible 12 miles on the road. The surplus baggage transported by rail from Memphis will be left in charge of proper details, to be transported to Iuka in like manner.

By order of Brig. General John M. Corse:

E. B. HARLAN,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,

No. 197.
Corinth, Miss., October 17, 1863.

* * * *

II. Major General F. P. Blair will proceed to Iuka and take command of the First and Second Division and the cavalry force composed

28 R R-VOL XXX, PT IV