that portion of his regiment now at the front, reporting for duty to Major General G. H. Thomas.

Colonel D. C. McCallum, general manager of military railroads in this military division, will take immediate charge of the construction of the Nashville and Northwestern Railroad, and that portion of the First Regiment Michigan Engineers and Mechanics doing duty on said railroad will be subject to Colonel McCallum's orders while at work on the road.

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By order of Major General U. S. Grant:

T. S. BOWERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO,

No. 48. Knoxville, Tenn., February 17, 1864.

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7. The First Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland, is hereby attached to the command of Major General Gordon Granger. Colonel E. M. McCook will report accordingly to Major-General Granger.

By command of Major-General Schofield:

HENRY CURTIS, JR.,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

CHATTANOOGA, February 18, 1864.

Major-General GRANT:

I regret to be obliged to report that I do not think I shall be able to take the field, the cold and damp weather having brought on an attack of neuralgia, from which I suffer intensely.

I am getting troops prepared as rapidly as possible, and will send them out under General Palmer if you think it best.

GEO. H. THOMAS,

Major-General.

NASHVILLE, February 18, 1864-2.30 p.m.

Major-General THOMAS:

By all means send the expedition. I think it should move as soon as possible, for the effect it will have in favor of Sherman and also on affairs in East Tennessee. I regret that you cannot go.

U. S. GRANT,

Major-General.

KNOXVILLE, February 18, 1864.

Major General U. S. GRANT:

I can get along with what force I have, including Granger's corps, until General Thomas makes his move. I did not know one was contemplated when I suggested that he should send more troops.

J. M. SCHOFIELD,

Major-General.