[Inclosure.]

CORINTH, December 18, 1862 - 5 a. m.

Colonel P. E. BURKE:

Send a messenger to colonel Mersy and tell him to hurry back with his column and to push his cavalry on immediately. He will return on road east of railroad.

G. M. DODGE,

Brigadier-General.

OXFORD, MISS., December 18, 1862.

Brigadier-General LOWE, Fort Henry, Tenn.:

The enemy are reported crossing the Tennessee River at Wright's island; 3,000 already across. Make a demonstration with all the force you can possibly spare to harass and prevent him crossing any more troops.

U. S. GRANT,

Major-General.

OXFORD, MISS., December 18, 1862.

Colonel LOWE, Fort Henry, Tenn.:

Forrest is now west of the Tennessee. Take 1,500 of your command and attack him. You can take them from Henry and Heiman and order troops from Donelson to take their places. This should be done at once. Troops are now on the way from Jackson to attack.

U. S. GRANT,

Major-General.

OXFORD, MISS., December 18, 1862.

Major General J. B. McPherson,

Commanding Right Wing:

All the provisions yet arrived have been left here. The chief commissary reported that the facilities at Yockna Station were not sufficient for uncloaking there, except to be immediately issued.

If you are about out of rations send your trains back here to draw five days, and move forward after they reach you.

Forrest and Napier have crossed the Tennessee River and are now near Jackson. I have directed such a concentration of troops that I think not many of them will get back to the east bank of the Tennessee. They will probably succeed, however, in cutting the road and wires so as to interrupt communication north for a day or two.

U. S. GRANT,

Major-General.

HDQRS. RIGHT WING, THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Camp Yocknapatalfa, December 18, 1862.

Major-General GRANT,

Commanding Department of the Tennessee:

GENERAL: Your dispatch received. I was down to Water Valley and examined the roads and ground in the vicinity of the Otuckalofa Creek day before yesterday with a view to a forward movement. The