cavalry, joined Wheeler at Courtland on Sunday, and were busy cooking rations, intending to cross Tennessee. Colonel Mizner adds, he supposes for Shelbyville or near there. At any rate to trouble our communications. Look out for them. Get all the information you can and keep us advised.

By order of General Thomas:

C. GODDARD,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS RECONNAISSANCE,
16 Miles of Huntsville, October 20, 1863.

Colonel LOWE,

Commanding First Brigade, Second Division:

I have the honor to report that Roddey and command swam the Elk River on last Sunday morning, going to Florence, there to cross the Tennessee. Elk River is still impassable. The majority of information says that Roddey is across the Tennessee River. His artillery crossed certainly by ferry. Wheeler and command are patrolling the opposite side of the Tennessee River.

Very respectfully, your most obedient,

M. T. PATRICK,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Expedition.

[Indorsement.]

Received 9.22 p. m., and respectfully forwarded, for information of the general commanding.

W. W. LOWE,

Colonel, Commanding First Brigade.

STEVENSON,

October 20, 1863-9 p. m.

Major-General REYNOLDS:

Advices from General Crook, dated Brownsborough, October 19, inform me that General Lee, from below, has just joined Wheeler, with abouth 4,000 cavalry, at Courtland, and that the whole force now there is near 8,000. He says that there is plenty of corn about Brownsborough.

From the best information I can gather we have nothing to apprehend from the fords on the Tennessee below Bridgeport before spring.

JOSEPH HOOKER,

Major-general, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS ELEVENTH AND TWELFTH CORPS,
Stevenson, Ala., October 20, 1863.

Brigadier General GEORGE CROOK,

Commanding Second Cavalry Division:

I am directed by the major-general commanding to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 9th instant, and to state in answer that he has this day represented to the major-general