HEADQUARTERS SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Memphis, Tennessee, November 2, 1863. [Via Cairo, 6th. Received 12.10 a.m., 7th.]

Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief:

It is impossible with present force to open the telegraph-line from Columbus to Corinth. It will be even difficult to maintain railroad and telegraph from Memphis to Corinth. General Dodge, with eighteen of my best infantry regiments, is ordered to cross the Tennessee, and will leave Iuka for Eastport to-day. The enemy is active in North Mississippi, and increasing his force. I have only nine whole regiments of infantry, including all at Memphis and Corinth, on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad.

S. A. HURLBUT,

Major-General.

CORINTH, November 2, 1863.

Major-General HURLBUT:

The One hundred and thirteenth Illinois Infantry is at Chewalla; the One hundred and eighth at Pocahontas; the One hundred and twentieth has just reported with train of General Dodge. I shall have to send the One hundred and twentieth to Pocahontas, the force there being entirely too small.

J. D. STEVENSON,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

CORINTH, November 2, 1863-10 p.m. [Received 3rd.]

Major-General HURLBUT, Memphis:

Received following dispatch from La Grange, November 2, 6.30 p.m.:

Scouting parties just returned from Holly Springs, bringing information that Chalmers crossed the Tallahatchie at mouth of Tippah yesterday with 1,500 men and some artillery. Saw about 50 rebels in Holly Springs. Could learn nothing but that Chalmers was probably coming in to that place.

L. F. McCRILLIS.

I learn from fugitive negro that yesterday morning General [Major] Ham was at Guntown with 500 men. They did not seem to be moving.

JNumbers D. STEVENSON,

Brigadier-General.

GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRS. FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Waterloo, Ala., No. 83. November 2, 1863.

The following-named officers are announced on the staff of the major-general commanding, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly:

Maj. B. H. Peterson, Sixth Missouri Infantry Volunteers, acting aide-de-camp.