COLLIERVILLE, October 30, 1863.

Major-General HURLBUT:

I have just returned. Will be in Memphis to-morrow. Chalmers is at Oxford. His force is scattered from Belmont to Birmingham. He will concentrate and cross the Tallahatchie within five days. He is jerking beef and baking bread for the movement. No force west of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad except Richardson, who is on Cherry Creek, 8 miles north of Pontotoc.

Yours,

BELL,

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Chattanooga, October 31, 1863.

Brigadier-General WHITAKER,

Comdg. Second Brigade, First Division, Fourth Corps:

You will move with your entire brigade to the south side of the river and establish your headquarters at Shellmound, on the road to Trenton, and relieve the forces now there. The latter belong to General Geary's command, and on being relieved by your regiments will rejoin its division. You will take your camp and garrison equipage and sufficient supplies to serve you until you can be resupplied from Bridgeport. You will report at Shellmound to Brigadier General Charles Cruft, commanding First Division, Fourth Army Corps.

By command of Major-General Thomas:

J. J. REYNOLDS,

Major-General, Chief of Staff

CORINTH, October 31, 1863.

General HURLBUT:

General Sherman will be all over on Monday, and I shall commence crossing on that day.

G. M. DODGE,

Brigadier-General