HDQRS. DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Rivers' Bridge, S. C., February 4, 1865.

Major General F. P. BLAIR,

Commanding Seventeenth Army Corps:

GENERAL: I am directed by General Howard to request you to send back or leave one small brigade to guard the supplies left on this side of the river. If you desire to move General Force's division to the front a brigade of General Mower's division may be sent back after that a movement is completed. Department headquarters will remain here till Monday morning.

Very respectfully,

E. WHITTLESEY,

Major and Judge-Advocate.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS, No. 32. Rivers' Bridge, S. C., February 4, 1865.

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III. In order to comply with Special Field Orders, No. 31, Extract III, headquarters Department and Army of the Tennessee (copy inclosed*), Brigadier General M. F. Force, commanding Third Division, will move his command across Rivers' Bridge to a point about four miles from the river. He will cause the road he moves on to be placed in good condition.

Major General J. A. Mower, commanding First Division, and Bvt. Major General G. A. Smith, commanding Fourth Division, will remain in their present positions to-morrow, and as soon as General Force has moved his command across the river will move over such portions of their trains as may e on this side.

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VI. Major General J. A. Mower, commanding First Division, will send one brigade from his command to this side of the river to-morrow morning as soon as General Force's command has crossed. They will be placed in position to protect the stores remaining on this side, and the commanding officer will report at these headquarters for instructions.

By command of Major General F. P. Blair:

C. CADLE, Jr.,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS,

Rivers' Bridge, S. C., February 4, 1865.

Brigadier General M. F. FORCE,

Commanding Third Division:

GENERAL: I am directed by the major-general commanding to inform you that he has sent a staff officer to move your brigade (Colonel Wiles), now near Broxton's Bridge, back to the position occupied by the Fourth Division yesterday, with instruction to intrench. The piont they occupy is about two miles from these headquarters on the river road. Your mounted men are instructed to watch the roads beyond Colonel Wiles.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. CADLE, Jr.,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

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*See p. 294.

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