HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF FAST TENNESSEE,
Knoxville, October 1, 1862.

Colonel J. B. PALMER,

Commanding at Cumberland Gap:

COLONEL: The major-general commanding directs me to say, in reply to your dispatch of to-day, that he hopes you will be able with the means at your command to put down the bushwhackers, in your neighborhood. He approves your course in sending the prisoners to this place. He will endeavor to aid in getting the necessary materials for away from the works as much salt as can be obtained.

Respectfully, &c.,

CHAS. S. STRINGFELLOW,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Abstract from Returns, right wing, Army of the Mississippi, Major General L. Polk commanding, for October 1, 1862, near Bardstown, Ky.

Command. Effective Total Total present

total. present. and absent.

FIRST (DONELSON'S)

DIVISION.

1st (Savage's) 1,553 1,720 2,554

Brigade

2nd (Stewart's) 1,741 1,823 2,812

Brigade

3rd (Maney's) 1,790 1,927 3,002

Brigade

Total First 5,093 5,570 8,368

Division

RESERVE (WITHERS')

DIVISION.

1st (Gardner's) 2,303 2,526 4,264

Brigade

2nd (Chalmers') 1,562 1,805 3,139

Brigade

4th (Duncan's) 1,673 1,876 3,705

Brigade

Total Reserve 5,558 6,207 11,108

Division

Grand total 10,651 11,777 19,476

CIRCULAR.] HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

Bardstown., Ky., October 2, 1862.

Commanders of the wings, Army of the Mississippi, will see that their commands are immediately provided with two day's cooker rations. The troops will be held in readiness to move at a moment's notice.

By command of General Polk:

GEO. G. GARNER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS, DEPARTMENT Numbers 2., October 2, 1862.

Major-General POLK,

Commanding Army of the Mississippi, Bardstown, Ky.:

MY DEAR GENERAL: A telegram from Frankfort represents he enemy moving in force on Shelbyville. It may be a reconnaissance, but should is be a real attack have them. We shall be at Frankfort to-morrow with al of our force. Hold yourself in readiness, with cooked