Majors Thomas Peters and R. M. Mason, of the quartermaster's department, and Major J. J. Murphy, chief commissary, members of my general staff, I am indebted for their vigilance and activity in the execution of my orders, and the fearlessness with which they exposed themselves in the discharge of their duties.

To my aide-de-camp (Lieutenant W. B. Richmond) I am particularly indebted for the intelligence, decision, and energy with which on this, as on other fields, he gave me his support; also to Lieutenant Colonel Henry C. Yeatman, my volunteer aide, for services of a like character. And our thanks and praise are above all due to Almighty God, the Lord of Hosts, for the success of our arms and the preservation of our lives.

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

L. POLK,

Lieutenant-General, Commanding.

Colonel GEORGE WILLIAM BRENT,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Inclosure A.]

Field return showing the aggregate of officers and men belonging to Polk's corps d'armee actually engaged in the battles before Murfreesborough, from December 28, 1862, to January 4, 1863.

Command. Offi- Men. Total. Remarks.

cers.

Cheatham's 496 5,863 6,359 Wharton's

division*. (commanding

cavalry bri-

Withers' 537 7,237 7,774 gade) reported

division. effective

total, 2, 376,

on December 27;

weekly return.

Total. 1,033 13,100 14,133

L. POLK,

Lieutenant-General, Commanding.

SHELBYVILLE, TENN., March 22, 1863.

[Inclosure B.]

List of killed, wounded, and missing in Polk's corps in the battles before Murfreesborough, from December 28, 1862, to January 4, 1863.

Command. Killed. Wounded. Missing. Total.

Cheatham's division:

Donelson's brigade. 102 570 19 691

Stewart's brigade. 50 301 2 353

Maney's brigade. 20 164 6 190

Vaughan's brigade. 105 562 38 705

Total. 277 1,597 65 1,939

Withers' division:

Deas' brigade. 68 600 27 695

Chalmers' brigade. 67 445 36 548

Walthall's brigade. 130 620 13 763

Anderson's brigade. 73 428 16 517

Total. 338 2,093 92 2,523

Aggregate. 615 3,690 157 4,462

W. B. RICHMOND,

Aide-de-Camp.

HEADQUARTERS POLK'S CORPS, ARMY OF TENNESSEE, Shelbyville, March 21, 1863.

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*But see inclosure to Cheatham's report, p. 709.

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