HEADQUARTERS BRIGADE,
October 9, 1864.

General F. C. ARMSTRONG,

Commanding, &c.:

GENERAL: I have the honor to inform you that I have resumed command of my brigade and to ask such instructions as you may deem it necessary to give me. In the meantime I will comply with the order which General Ross has just given Colonel Boyles to move back to Van Wert.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. W. FERGUSON,

Brigadier-General.

[39.]

HEADQUARTERS BRIGADE,
October 10, 1864.

Brigadier-General JACKSON,

Commanding Cavalry:

GENERAL: I sent Lieutenant Taylor to the railroad yesterday evening to learn the locality and movements of the enemy and he will return this evening. Everything has been quiet here until about 3 o'clock this evening a squad of Yankee cavalry disturbed the equanimity of some of General Ferguson's pickets and then retired, but a courier from General Ferguson informs me they are coming again with heavy force. I will send you the earlies news I have from the enemy's infantry. Please let me hear the news with you.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

L. S. ROSS,

Brigadier-General.

[39.]

HEADQUARTERS BRIGADE,
Six Miles From Cedartown, October 11, 1864-9 a. m.

[General W. H. JACKSON:]

GENERAL: I started this morning to strike the Cedartown and Stilesborough roads, but the enemy follow me so rapidly from Van Wert I am compelled to stop and check them to save my train. If I leave this road there will be no one between the enemy and Cedartown. They are advancing on every "hog path" and road in my front. General Ferguson is on the road which Hardee's corps traveled. Your order was imperative to move on the road above mentioned, but I think the circumstances warrant me in holding the road until I can hear further from you.

L. S. ROSS,

Brigadier-General.

[39.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMSTRONG BRIGADE,
Near Ware's House, October 11, 1864-5 p. m.

General JACKSON,

Commanding Cavalry:

GENERAL: There are three brigades of enemy's cavalry on Stilesborough and Cave Spring road five miles east of Courtesy (or Ben Ware's house) in front of Gholdson's brigade. Their wagons and artillery were left one mile west of Stilesborough. I am of the opinion that