you find that the enemy is moving upon Aberdeen you will notify him at once. He will move by way of West Point. You will press them hard and delay their progress as much as possible.

Respectfully,

N. B. FORREST,

Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS,
Starkville, February 19, 1864.

General S. D. LEE,

Gainesville:

Dispatch received. Preparations will be made to subsist your troops here. Enemy reported moving in the direction of Columbus. Started Forrest's brigade to West Point and Aberdeen and Bell's brigade to Columbus this morning. Will move in the morning with the balance of my command and with the artillery, leaving about 600 here with my wagons.

N. B. FORREST,

Major-General.

COLUMBUS, MISS.,

February 19, 1864-9 p. m.

General POLK,

Demopolis, Ala.:

Enemy still reported at Aberdeen from 1,500 to 4,000 strong. We shall try to take care of them. This is, I am surprised to learn, probably the only force, a few infantry excepted, which has shown itself for some days past in Northern Mississippi.

DANL. RUGGLES,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS,
Demopolis, Ala., February 19, 1864.

Major-General FORNEY:

GENERAL: I am informed that Withers' First Regiment Mississippi Artillery will be at Demopolis to-night or early to-morrow. The lieutenant-general commanding desires that this command be sent to Mobile at the earliest practicable moment, with orders to report to Major-General Maury, commanding Department of the Gulf, for assignment. You will please issue the necessary orders and see to their execution.

Respectfully, general, your obedient servant,

THOS. M. JACK,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS,

Numbers 50.
Demopolis, Ala., February 19, 1864.

* * * * *

VI. Colonel J. S. Scott will move with Gantt's battalion Tennessee cavalry at an early hour to-morrow morning, marching 25 miles a day and making proper arrangements for shoeing horses and procuring clothing for the command.