HEADQUARTERS FOURTH ARMY CORPS, Duck River, Tenn., December 21, 1864-1.30 p. m.

Major-General THOMAS,
Commanding Department of the Cumberland:

Please allow three of my batteries to cross the pontoon bridge as soon as it is laid over Rutherford's Creek, to assist in laying the bridge over Duck River. The enemy has a party of observation on the south bank of the river, defended by strong stone fences. I wish to batter them down.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

TH. J. WOOD,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH ARMY CORPS, Duck River, December 21, 1864-1.30 p. m.

Major GOODSPEED,
Chief of Artillery, Fourth Army Corps:

See General Thomas and ask him to let you push over three batteries (two rifled and one other) as the pontoon bridge is completed at Rutherfoird's Creek. Bring them up to the front, to assist in laying the pontoon bridge over Duck River.

By order of Brigadier-General Wood:

J. S. FULLERTON,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Rutherford's Creek, December 21. 1864.

Major General JOHN M. SCHOFIELD,
Commanding Twenty-third Army Corps:

The major-general commanding directs that you detail one company from your command, of not less than thirty men and one commissioned officer, for guard duty at the pontoon bridge over Rutherford's Creek. The commanding officer will report to Captain Abdill, now at the bridge, and will relieve Captain Abdill's company, now acting as guards. Trains will cross the bridge in the following order, and the commanding officer of the company on guard will be held responsible that these directions are strictly carried out, and that there be no unnecessary confusion and no damage done the brigade. Order of crossing: First, the pontoon train; second, three batteries belonging to Fourth Army Corps; third, the train of the cavalry command; fourth, the Fourth Corps; third, the train of the cavalry of the cavalry command; fourth, the Fourth Corps trains; fifth, the trains of Major-General Smith's command; sixth, the Twenty-third Army Corps trains.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ROBT. H. RAMSEY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Rutherford's Creek, December 21, 1864-9 p. m.

Major General JOHN M. SCHOFIELD,

Commanding Twenty-third Army Corps:

The major-general commanding directs me to say that, in crossing your command to-morrow morning over Rutherford's Creek, they will