MEMPHIS, TENN.,

April 18, 1864.

Brigadier General B. H. GRIERSON,

Commanding Cavalry Division, Sixteenth Corps;

GENERAL: In a dispatch received yesterday from Major General W. T. Sherman occurs the following passage: "Buckland's brigade and Grierson's cavalry can and should hunt up Forrest and whip him." You will furnish me in writing your official opinion whether or not this opinion of the major-general can be carried out.

Your obedient servant

S. A. HURLBUT,

Major-General

(Same to Buckland.)

HEADQUARTERS SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Memphis, Tenn., April 18, 1864

Brigadier General B. H. GRIERSON,

Commanding Cavalry:

GENERAL: Chalmers and McCulloch passed through La Grange on Saturday night, and report Forrest following them on his route down to meet the Federals in Alabama.

Take your disposable cavalry and push out. Their artillery is below La Grange.

Your obedient servant,

S. A. HURLBUT,

Major-General.

HDQRS. CAVALRY DIVISION, SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Memphis, Tenn., April 18, 1864

Colonel GEORGE E. WARING,

Commanding First Brigade Cavalry:

COLONEL; In pursuance with instructions from Major General S. A. Hurlbut you will prepare your whole effective force, with as much rations and ammunition as can be carried on the persons of the men, to move before daylight to-morrow morning. The artillery will not be taken. Report in person to these headquarters this afternoon.

By order of Brigadier General B. H. Grierson:

S. L. WOODWARD,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Memphis, Tenn., April. 18, 1864-2 p.m.

Major General W. T. SHERMAN,

Commanding Mil. Div. of the Mississippi, Nashville, Tenn.:

Chalmers and McCulloch, with artillery, passed south of La Grange on Saturday night. They report themselves moving to Alabama to meet the Federals. Forrest is reported behind them on same route. Grierson is ordered out. Report just arrived.

S. A. HURLBUT,

Major-General.