HEADQUARTERS SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,, Memphis, Tenn., April 10, 1864.

Brigadier General A. J. SMITH,
Commdg. Expeditionary Column, 16th Corps, on Red River:

GENERAL: I forward you with this a copy of dispatch* from General Sherman. In obedience to this, you will move up the river as soon as practicable, piking up all fragments at Vicksburg. At this place you will receive your batteries, and move on the route designated by General Sherman.

Send forward in advance by an officer requisitions for supplies, &c.

S. A. HURLBUT,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE POST, Columbus, Ky., April 10, 1864.

Captain J. H. ODLIN,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Cairo, Ill.:

CAPTAIN: From information this day received from refugees, I learn that Faulkner, with 800 men, is intrenching Union City. Forrest is reported to be concentrating at Murray, from which placew he will try to cross the Tennessee. The rumor is that he has been driven back by our forces, and found this the only means of escape.

There are small bands all sides of us. They have been in Clinton, Milburn, Blandville, and Hickman, in squads of 20 to 40 men, conscripting all and taking everything in the shape of a horse. I will have a scout with a full report in a day or two.

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. HUDSON LAWRENCE,

Colonel, Commanding Post.

HEADQUARTERS SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Memphis, Tenn., April 10, 1864.

Major General W. T. SHERMAN,
Commanding Mil. Div.of the Mississippi, Nashville, Tenn.:

Forrest's force in West Tennessee is about 8,000 effective men: Bell's brigade, five regiments cavalry; Buford's brigade, three regiments mounted infantry; Faulkner's brigade, three regiments cavalry; Neely's brigade, two regiments cavalry; Chalmers' brigade, three regiments cavalry; McCulloch's brigade, two regiments cavalry; Duckworth's brigade, two regiments cavalry. He has four 3-inch rifled guns, captured at Chickamauga, and eight howitzers.

His artillery and wagon train were moving up from Pontotoc wto days since. I am satisfied, from all information, that he proposes to cross at Clifton, at mouth of Big Sandy, and operate in Kentucky and Middle Tennessee.

S. A. HURLBUT,

Major-General.

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVSION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Nashville, Tenn., April 10, 1864.

Colonel JAMES B. FRY, Washington, D. C.:

DEAR COLONEL: Yours of April 5 received. I have, by lettr and telegraph, stated my entire willingness to have General Buell as-

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*See p.297.

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