barren mountains interposed. Unable to hold so long a line, without sacrificing my force in detail, Buckner has been drawn this way so as to insure a junction at any time. Burnside was 60 miles from Knoxville at last accounts. We shall assail either party, or both, whenever practicable.

BRAXTON BRAGG.

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, STATION E,

September 2, 1863-10 a. m.

Colonel BRENT:

All quiet. No enemy visible.

P. H. RICE,

Captain, Commanding Detachment.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TENNESSEE,
Chattanooga, Tenn., September 2, 1863.

Lieutenant-General POLK,

Commanding Corps:

GENERAL: The general commanding wishes to see you and your division commanders to-day at 12 m.

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

GEORGE WM. BRENT,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[SEPTEMBER 2, 1863.]

General WHEELER:

DEAR GENERAL: I am uneasy about the state of affairs. It is so vitally important that the general should have full and correct information. One misstep in the movement of this army would possibly be fatal.

Your line of pickets now occupy on Lookout Mountain about the same advantages they possessed on the river or Sand Mountain. The passage at Caperton's Ferry broke the line, and a week has passed and we don't know whether or not an army has passed. If this happens on Lookout, say to-night, and the enemy obtain that as a screen to their movements, I must confess I do not see myself what move we can make to answer it.

Ought not there be an infantry force to sustain your line on the mountain?

Yours, truly,

MACKALL.

SPECIAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,

No. 68. Chattanooga, September 2, 1863.

I. General John A. Wharton will picket all passes over Lookout Mountain from Will's Valley, and will patrol the mountain from the Tennessee River to Gadsden.

II. In case of an advance of the enemy all cavalry commanders of