cavalry at New Market and 150 more some 8 miles above, and in the country 300, running four grist-mills, supplying their army. The mills are in the neighborhood of New Market, 8 miles from Strawberry Plains. Six hundred of the First East Tennessee Mounted Infantry are occupying Dandridge. There is an abundance of forage on the east side of the river.

I have the honor to be, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. M. MILLER,

Lieutenant, Commanding Scouts.

MEMPHIS, December 19, 1863.

Major-General GRANT,

Chattanooga:

Dispatch of 11th received to-day. Steele has asked for no troops, and I think does not need any. Price is on Red River, much reduced. Recruiting going on vigorously in Arkansas. Forrest is at Jackson; forces estimated about 4,000. Grierson moves to-morrow on Purdy and Bolivar, and Smith from Columbus on Monday. Forrest must fight or run. Roads dreadful from rain. I think we shall cure Forrest of his ambition to command West Tennessee.

S. A. HURLBUT,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Memphis, December 19, 1863.

Brigadier-General GRIERSON:

Let your command move quietly to La Grange to-morrow, or at least Morgan's brigade, so as to be at La Grange by night and ready to move as soon as we learn definitely of Smith's movement.

S. A. HURLBUT,

Major-General.

Order Mizner to be ready to move out from Corinth as soon as infantry comes up.

S. A. H.

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, December 19, 1863

Colonel J. K, MIZNER,

Corinth, Miss.:

You will hold the effective force of your command in readiness to move at a short notice. Keep on hand ten days' rations, prepare light transportation, and at least 100 rounds of ammunition per man.

B. H. GRIERSON,

Brigadier-General.

(Same to Colonel W. H. Morgan and commanding officer Second Cavalry Brigade.)

29 R R-VOL XXXI, PT III