from them. The artillery placed in each of these works will be supported by 75 or 100 men, in proportion to the size of the works. The party for each work will be selected at once, and as far as practicable camped near the work which they are to defend, and positive orders must be given to the officers and men that they are to hold the work at all hazard, and not to surrender under any circumstances.

By command of General Hood:

A. P. MASON,

Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TENNESSEE, Near Nashville, on Franklin Pike, December 15, 1864.

Lieutenant-General STEWART,
Commanding Corps, Army of Tennessee:

I am directed by General Hood to inclose to you the order granting leave of absence to Major-General French, and to say that you will make such temporary disposition of the brigades composing his division as you may deem best.

A. P. MASON,

Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS LEE'S CORPS, December 15, 1864-10.10 a. m.

General STEWART,
Commanding Corps:

GENERAL: I am in receipt of your note of this date. I feel secure in my line; have made the same dispositions you mention for your lines. Am engaged to-day in throwing up redoubt on my flanks. I think you may look out for a demonstration on your left to-day from present indications. Please keep me posted. Will send a staff officer to stay width you in case I hear much firing.

Yours respectfully,

S. D. LEE,

Lieutenant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS STEWART'S CORPS,
No.-
Near Nashville, Tenn., December 15, 1864.

Sears' and Ector's brigades and all the staff officers of Major-General French will report at once for duty to Major-General Walthall.

By command of Lieutenant-General Stewart:

W. D. GALE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

DECEMBER 15, 1864-10.45 a. m.

Lieutenant-General STEWART,

Commanding Corps:

GENERAL: The enemy are advancing in two lines of battle, with a strong line of skirmishers in front of General Sears' left, and are now