days' rations in haversacks. Designate two regiments to remain with General Davis' two batteries to guard the river, should you receive orders to move.

Respectfully,

GEO. H. THOMAS,

Major-General, Commanding.

WARTRACE, October 26, 1863.

General A. S. WILLIAMS:

Captain Moseley left here yesterday with orders for you. It is of the utmost importance that some of your troops should be at this end of the line. One regiment must be sent to Christiana to-day, and if possible one to this place to-morrow, and the others that are ordered this way, as soon as possible.

By command, &c..

H. C. RODGERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

GENERAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS TWELFTH CORPS,

Numbers 27.
Wartrace, Tennessee October 26, 1863.

Pursuant to orders from headquarters Department of the Cumberland, the undesigned hereby assumes command of all the troops for the defense of the railroad from Murfreesborough to Bridgeport, including those at both the above-named points.

All reports required by existing orders will be promptly forwarded to these headquarters.

H. W. SLOCUM

Major-General of Volunteers, Commanding.

IUKA, October 26, 1863.

colonel MACFEELY:

I want preparations made at once to supply 25,000 men with rations at Florence and beyond. Tennessee River is good up to Eastport and rising. Railroad is of no account, but we have stores enough for about twenty days. You may join me at Florence by the way of Saint Louis, using dispatch and making all proper arrangements.

W. T. SHERMAN,

Major-General.

IUKA, October 26, 1863.

Colonel BINGHAM,

Memphis:

I suppose you are the department quartermaster. If so, I want you to proceed to Saint Louis and see that a ferry-boat, not drawing over 3 feet, has gone up the Tennessee. Then estimate for forage for 25,000 men, and a due proportion of horses, and either bring it up or contract for it along the Tennessee. Make all arrangements for