[Indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, In the Field, Tenn., December 20, 1864.

Respectfully forwarded, earnestly recommending the promotion of Brigadier General J. D. Cox to the grade of major-general. His services on he Atlanta campaign entitle him to the promotion asked for, and at the battle of Franklin he was eminently distinguished for personal courage, as well as for the skillful management of his command.

GEO. H. THOMAS,
Major-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.

SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS,
HDQRS. ARMY OF THE OHIO,

Numbers 181.
Near Franklin, Tenn., December 19, 1864.

I. Brigadier General thomas H. Ruger, commanding First Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, will proceed at once to Murfreesborough, Tenn., where he will assume command of the following-named regiments belonging to the Twenty-third Army Corps, and march with them without delay, by the most practicable route, to Columbia, Tenn., form which place he will move forward and join the Twenty-third Army Corps wherever it may be: One hundred and seventy-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, One hundred and eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, One hundred and eighty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. General Ruger will draw all the transportation necessary for his command from General J. B. Steedman. The two batteries belonging to the First Division now in Nashville will remain in that place until they can join the command in Columbia.

By command of Major-General Schofield:

J. A. CAMPBELL,

Major and Assistant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE OHIO, Franklin, Tenn., December 19, 1864.

Major General D. N. COUCH,
Commanding Second Division, Twenty-third Army Corps:

GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that you have your command in readiness to move at daylight to-morrow, the 20th instant, but not to strike tents until further orders.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. M. WHERRY,

Major and Aide-de-Camp.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, December 19, 1864.

Major General A. J. SMITH,

Commanding Detachment Army of the Tennessee:

GENERAL: I am directed by the major-general commanding to say to you that General Wood has been ordered to march by the directs road to-morrow morning, if it is possible for his command to cross Rutherford's Creek, and move direct against Forrest, who is said to be in