RICHMOND, VA., December 3, 1862.

General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON,

Chattanooga, Tenn.:

General Pemberton has fallen back from his positions by advance of very superior force of the enemy. General Holmes has been peremptorily ordered to re-enforce him, but his troops may arrive too late. The President urges on you the importance of sending a sufficient force from General Bragg's command to the aid of General Pemberton.

S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. POLK'S CORPS, ARMY OF TENNESSEE,

Numbers 8.
Murfreesborough, December 3, 1862.

* * * * * *

III. Major-General Cheatham will hold two brigades of his command ready to move at an hour's notice, with three days' cooked rations. Ambulances and 10 wagons to a brigade will be allowed.

IV. Major-General Breckinridge will hold Hanson's brigade ready to move at an hour's notice, with four days' cooked rations. Ambulances and 10 wagons to the brigade will be allowed.

* * * * * *

By command of Lieutenant-General Polk:

L. L. BUTLER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS POLK'S CORPS, ARMY OF TENNESSEE, Murfreesborough, December 3, 1862.

Brigadier-General CHALMERS:

GENERAL: General Wheeler reports an advance of the enemy on La Vergne. It may be, and probably is, a foraging expedition; but you will keep your command in hand for any emergency.

By command of Lieutenant-General Polk:

THOMAS M. JACK,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Columbia, Tenn., December 3, 1862.

Brigadier-General WHEELER,

Chief of Cavalry:

GENERAL: I have received the report in person of Lieutenant John W. Morton, jr., ordered to report to me by Colonel Hallonquist, and to take command of the horse artillery in my brigade. I have no objections to receiving Lieutenant Morton in my command, provided he is willing to come under command of Captain Freeman; but I am unwilling to exchange Captain Freeman (who has made a reputation at Shiloh and before Nashville, and proven himself a gallant and efficient officer) for any other officer. Rather than do so, I would prefer to return the battery. I hope the order has been made without your knowledge and consent, and that you will not permit any changes, but allow my command to go on as