feeling. He is not a difficult man to satisfy, sincerity and courage being his strong traits. Believing in our cause and wanting to fight for it, is the whole matter with him.

Could you without embarrassment assign him a place, if directed to report to you?

A. LINCOLN,

President.

Seems to me we have quite a number of brigadiers competent for any place General Milroy could possibly be assigned. Everything here goes smoothly.

J. H. WILSON,

Brigadier-General.

NASHVILLE, December 20, 1863.

Major General G. H. THOMAS,

Chattanooga:

I have ordered General Crook to assemble his command at Huntsville and proceed to Prospect, with a view of operating against Forrest.

General Sherman has been directed to supply the places now garrisoned by Crook with infantry.

U. S. GRANT,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Chattanooga, Tennessee, December 20, 1863.

Brigadier General R. S. GRANGER,

Commanding Nashville:

The following dispatch received. You will carry the order into effect.

By command of Major-General Thomas:

WM. D. WHIPPLE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Inclosure.]

[See Canby to Thomas, 2.40 p.m., December 19, 1863, p. 444.]

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

Numbers 24.
Nashville, Tennessee, December 20, 1863.

I. Brigadier General A. P. Hovey, U. S. Volunteers, will proceed to Indianapolis, Ind., to take command of all troops now being raised in the State of Indiana, as fast as they are turned over to the United States Government.

He will locate them in proper camps, organize them into brigades and divisions, and prepare them for field as rapidly as practicable.

* * * * * * *

By order of Major General U. S. Grant:

T. S. BOWERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.