DALTON, February 18, 1864.

Lieutenant-General HOOD,

Columbia, S. C.:

We want you much.

J. E. JOHNSTON.

[32.]

DALTON, February 18, 1864.

His Excellency the PRESIDENT,

Richmond, Va.:

Your dispatch just received.* I shall start to-night to have a personal conference with General Polk. It will be impossible without transportation to leave the railroad for any distance. I request authority to call on General Johnston for 150 wagons if needed.

W. J. HARDEE,

Lieutenant-General.

[32.]

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY WEST OF ALABAMA,
Alamuchee, February 18, 1864-7.40 a. m.

Brigadier General W. H. JACKSON,

Commanding Division:

GENERAL: Your communication of 9 p. m. was received during the night, together with acompanying papers. General Adams has come up and will leave to-day at 10 a. m. General Lee will leave with Ferguson's brigade at 12 m. We will take the route to your right, through Panola and Scooba, as the Lauderdale Springs road may be rather dangerous. The general sent a communication to you yesterday evening, and another last night, after the receipt of your first dispatch.

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

WILLIAM ELLIOTT,

Assistant Adjutant and Inspector General.

[Indorsement.]

[Captain GEORGE MOORMAN:]

CAPTAIN: You will direct General Ross to draw in his scouts, &c., and move by the most direct route to Scooba. Starke's brigade will move at once in that direction. Tell Ross to move without delay. Send my escort here immediately and join me as soon as you can.

W. H. J.

[32.]

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY WEST OF ALABAMA,
Harris House, February 18, 1864-6.15 p. m.

Brigadier General W. H. JACKSON,

Commanding Division:

GENERAL: General Lee will remain at this point to-night, seven miles east of Lauderdale Springs. He wishes you to move in the morning toward Scooba, where he will probably meet you. He wishes you also to communicate with General Forrest, leeting him know that the command is moving to co-operate with him, but that it numbers only about 3,200 or 3,300 men for duty. Mr. Barr, the operator, went to you this morning. The general's route will be through Painville, across Lacy's Ford

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*See 17th, p. 621.

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