HEADQUARTERS ARMSTRONG'S BRIGADE,
November 13, 1864-7 p. m.

General JACKSON,

Commanding, &c.:

GENERAL: The enemy have crossed at Huff's Ford, on Lexington road, and also attempting to cross on Huntsville road. They had four pieces artillery at ford on Lexington road at dark.

Respectfully,

F. C. ARMSTRONG,

Brigadier-General.

[39.]

TUSCUMBIA, ALA., November 13, 1864.

Major General M. L. SMITH,

Macon:

See or telegraph General Cobb on subject of defenses of Macon. Should be completed at once.

G. T. BEAUREGARD,

General.

JONESBOROUGH, November 13, 1864-5.35 p. m.

General HOWELL COBB,

Macon, Ga.:

Nothing yet decisive regarding movements of enemy. Smoke and fires in Atlanta observed all yesterday and this morning.

JOS. WHEELER,

Major-General.

[39.]

TUSCUMBIA, ALA., November 13, 1864.

Major General FRANK GARDNER,

Corinth, Miss.:

Mabry's brigade will garrison Corinth with reserves and State troops. Patterson's brigade will be subject to the orders of General Hood. Write to General hood to this effect.

GEO. WM. BRENT,

Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.

[39.]

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

Milledgeville, Ga., November 14, 1864.

Honorable JAMES A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War:

SIR: Official engagements have prevented earlier attention to your letter of 8th ultimo, which reached me on the 20th. You are pleased to characterize a portion of my letter as acrimonious, and claim that I have transenced the bounds of official propriety and seem to desire me to understand that you labor under difficulties in restraining yourself within the bounds of forebearance in your reply. As the acrimony of my letter consisted in a simple narrative of truths, communicated in a plain, straightforward manner, calling things by their right name, I feel that I am due you no apology. Of course no personal disrespect