plans may be well laid. I have again to repeat that it is of the highest consequence that this column before you should be crushed, and I earnestly trust that the best success may attend you. Sherman seems to be lying quietly at Meridian awaiting for the coming of that column. If it be possible, let him never see it.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

L. POLK,

Lieutenant-General.

DEMOPOLIS, February 20, 1864-12.30 a. m.

Lieutenant-General HARDEE,

Montgomery:

Let your troops come to Demopolis. Order your transportation forward from the rear. I will help you to make out until it arrives.

L. POLK,

Lieutenant-General.

MONTGOMERY, February 20, 1864.

Lieutenant-General POLK:

Your dispatch of this date received. Send from Mobile boats to take my troops to Selma. Your dispatch of yesterday about transportation not received. If you need additional wagons telegraph direct to General Johnston, who will furnish them.

W. J. HARDEE,

Lieutenant-General.

DEMOPOLIS, February 20, 1864.

Major S. HILLYER,

Quartermaster, Selma:

Stop all steam-boats coming down and send them back to Montgomery to report to General Hardee for carrying troops, and send all upward-bound boats to Montgomery for the same purpose. Permit no boat to pass down until the troops have been moved.

By command of Lieutenant-General Polk:

WM. D. GALE,

Aide-de-Camp.

DEMOPOLIS, February 20, 1864.

General J. E. JOHNSTON,

Dalton, Ga.:

I send copy of dispatch* just sent Lieutenant-General Hardee, at Montgomery.

L. POLK,

Lieutenant-General.

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*Following.

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