HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Richland Creek, December 25, 1864-4.15 p.m.

Major General J. H. WILSON,

Commanding Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi:

GENERAL: Yours of 9.10 a.m. to-day has been received.* The major-general commanding wishes you to continue pressing the rear of the rebel army as you have heretofore done. Your trains and those of the Fourth Corps are well along, your in advance.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. D. WHIPPLE,

Brigadier-General, &c.

HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISS.,
Five Miles Southwest of Pulaski, on Lamb's Ferry Road,

December 25, 1864-6 p.m.

Brigadier General W. D. WHIPPLE,

Chief of Staff:

Harrison's brigade came up with the enemy's infantry, strongly posted in rail breast-works, and after some sharp skirmishing was driven back, losing one gun. The ground was repossessed in ten minutes, but the gun was carried off; forty or fifty prisoners were captured march again, and prisoners say they are ordered to go ahead until they get across the river. My advance is two miles beyond here. Two locomotives down below Pulaski were saved from burning by one of Hatch's regiments. The rebel force is eight brigades, o f 500 or 600 picked men each. The country is a very broken in poor one. My horses are suffering for forage, and my men are getting short of rations, though I will push on again early in the morning in hopes of getting back the lost gun and one or two besides. Is there any news from Sherman?

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. H. WILSON,

Brevet Major-General.

SPECIAL
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,

FIELD ORDERS,
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

Numbers 14.
Reynolds' House, December 25, 1864.

The Cavalry Corps will pursue the enemy to-morrow morning, in the following order:

I. Brigadier-General Hammond will take the advance, moving promptly at 5 o'clock; General Hatch will follow; then General Croxton; and then Colonel Harrison.

II. Each command will move promptly, and keep well closed on the rear of the one preceding it.

By order of Brevet Major-General Wilson:

A. J. ALEXANDER,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Acting Chief of Staff.

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*See p. 342.

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