HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY BRIGADE,
Two miles beyond Cox's Creek, Ky., September 23, 1862-10 p. m.

Major GEORGE WILLIAMSON, Assistant Adjutant-General:

MAJOR: I have not a full company in the command, having furnished several guards and pickets, but I will send from the different companies a sufficiency to report, as your ordered. From the best information I can obtain there are none of the enemy nearer than 10 miles.

Yours, respectfully,

N. B. FORREST,

Brigadier-General.

BARDSTOWN, KY., SEPTEMBER 23, 1862-9.30 A. M.

Colonel WHEELER, Commanding Cavalry:

I have just instructed Colonel Wharton to move from Hodgensville to Boston, which removes him from your immediate vicinity and beyond supporting distance. You command, including Major Whaley, must guard our rear. Place your force in such positions as will best secure this object. I received your account of last skirmish late last night, and gave it to General Bragg this morning. Our affairs, excepting our men jaded, are prosperous.

Very respectfully, colonel,

W. J. HARDEE,

Major-General.

P. S.- Let me hear from your at least once a day.

SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

Numbers 11. Bardstown, Ky., September 23, 1862.

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V. A rigid inspection of all trains will be immediately made, and all surplus transportation over the allowance by order will be sent to the acting chief quartermaster at once.

VI. The cavalry horses will be rigidly inspected under the direction of the wing commanders. All unfit for service will be sent to Danville. Those permanently disabled or not likely to recuperate in four weeks will be shot.

VII. All cavalry horses possible will be purchased by the assistant quartermaster of the department. Men not supplied with horses will be organized into battalions of sharpshooters.

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By command of General Bragg:

JNumbers M. OTEY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF EAST TENNESSEE,
Knoxville, September 24, 1862.

Honorable GEORGE W. RANDOLPH,

Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.:

SIR: I telegraphed you in reference to certain regiments of volunteers authorized by Generals E. K. Smith and McCown to be raised in East Tennessee. As I have not yet received your answer I think it desirable to write to you more fully in regard to that matter. On the 13th of May last the President telegraphed General Smith, directing or