most strenuous efforts will be made to destroy his communications and all sources of supplies. Charlotte should be destroyed if possible, and also the railroad from and including the railroad bridge over the Catawba River north of Greensborough, and the country east of the railroad and north of the Catawba River laid waste. General Tillson will be instructed to hold Asheville and the gaps in the Blue Ridge, so that you will be able to use your whole force. The Ninth Tennessee Cavalry will be required for a short time clearing out the country between the Holston River and Cumberland Mountains. The headquarters of the cavalry division will remain until further orders at Asheville, N. C. I am directed by General Thomas, commanding Department of the Cumberland, to give you a leave of absence to go to Nashville to attend the session of the Legislature. When you go you will please turn over the command of the cavalry division to Colonel Palmer, Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and also these instructions for his information and guidance.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEORGE STONEMAN,

Major-General of Volunteers, Commanding.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH DIVISION,
DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Numbers 18.
Knoxville, Tenn., April 24, 1865.

I. Colonel Scully with his command will report to Colonel Hawley, commanding First Brigade, Fourth Division, Department of the Cumberland, at Greeneville, Tenn.

II. Colonel Lister with his command will report to the commanding general at Greeneville, Tenn., without delay.

By command of Brigadier-General Tillson:

W. W. DEANE,
Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.

GREENEVILLE, April 24, 1865.

Major General GEORGE H. THOMAS:

I have reached Big Sinking Creek, at Henderson's Depot, six miles beyond Greeneville and used all the boats and put on a portion of the stringers to-day. Bridge 280 feet in length. Expect to cross to-morrow by noon.

C. LATIMER,

Division Engineer.

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
OFFICE OF CHIEF OF ARTILLERY AND ORDNANCE,

Mobile, Ala., April 24, 1865.

Colonel H. BERTRAM,

Commanding Spanish Fort, Ala.:

COLONEL: I have the honor to inform you that the major-general commanding has directed me to request that you will cause to be selected from the captured property at Blakely and Spanish Fort such an armament of field-works now being prepared at that place as may be called for by Major-General McAlester, chief engineer of the army, and that the ordnance and ordnance stores below mentioned are to be set aside for the