HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION,
Gower's, September 8, 1863-8 a.m.

Major-General WHEELER:

GENERAL: I have arrived here with one of my brigades and six pieces of artillery; the other brigade will be up by 12 m. Please let me know what is going on in front. I am instructed by General Bragg to impede their advance on Rome as much as possible. If I hear nothing of the enemy to-day I shall cross the mountains and get in their front. What is the chance for forage along where you are? If you are telegraphing to General Bragg to-day let him know where I am. If the enemy does not advance we must move on them.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

N. B. FORREST,

Brigadier-General

GRAYSVILLE, GA., September 8, 1863.

General S. COOPER:

The order I communicated to General Jones for abandoning Cumberland Gap was from General Bragg. My own judgment has been to hold it and I had so instructed. It is supplied for nearly two months.

S. B. BUCKNER,

Major-General.

ABINGDON, September 8, 1863.

Major General S. B. BUCKNER, Chattanooga:

Acting under authority of the Secretary of War, I have not ordered

the evacuation of Cumberland Gap, and I shall not unless I see necessity for it. Keep me informed of the condition of things with you.

SAM. JONES,

Major-General.

ABINGDON, September 8, 1863.

Honorable JAMES A. SEDDON, Secretary of War, Richmond:

Labor is needed to construct defensive works at Saltville. Governor Letcher says he can give me no authority to impress slaves because you have called out all available slave-labor for public defense. May the slaves called out in this and the adjoining counties be employed on works at Saltville?

SAM. JONES,

Major-General.

GRENADA, MISS., September 9, 1863

Major G. W. HOLT, Asst. Adjt. General, Canton:

Major Crump, just from Holly Springs, thinks heavy raid preparing from Corinth. Wagons and cavalry moving east on Memphis and Charleston Railroad. Small garrison between La Grange and Memphis.

J. R. CHALMERS,

Brigadier-General