destruction or capture by the enemy. The paucity of this force is tempting to the enemy. Combine it with a crossing to hand, all in good condition, the enemy have not the perspicacity I award them if they do not at once avail themselves of our condition.

That you may be fully advised of my strength I give you the actual force: Howe's brigade, 1,100 for duty; Matthies' brigade, 640 for duty; total, 1,740; six companies of cavalry, 450 for duty - making total infantry and cavalry, 2,190; artillery, four 6-pounders, "old," two rifled regulation.

The enemy have moved up close upon our front; their strength I have not been able to learn; it is reported from 3,000 to 7,000 men; doubtless exaggerated. A scout, Rose, just in from below, reports Polk with his command at West Point last Friday. Forrest still has his headquarters at Jackson, Tenn. I would suggest that a portion of the Reserve Artillery be at once ordered here from Nashville. We should, beyond question, have at least enough guns to supply the works, six additional pieces, at least.

Respectfully,

JOHN D. STEVENSON,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HDQRS. LEFT WING, SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Near Camden, Ala., May 2, 1864-5 p. m.

Major General J. B. McPHERSON,

Commanding Dept. and Army of the Tennessee, Huntsville:

I am in receipt of General Sherman's dispatch, and will have my troops ready. General Sweeny will have at least 6,000 men to go on cars. I shall send the trains and rest of artillery through under charge of the five mounted regiments and pioneer corps.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. M. DODGE,

Brigadier-General.

Weekly report of effective force of the Department of the Cumberland, Major General George H. Thomas, U. S. Army, commanding, for May 2, 1864.

Headquarters. Infantry.

Command. Offic Men. Tota Offic Men. Total

ers. l. er. .

9th Michigan ... ... ... 19 492 511

Infantry,

Lieutenant Colonel

William Wilkinson.

10th Ohio Infantry, ... ... ... 22 361 383

Colonel J. W.

Burke.

1st Ohio ... ... ... 3 124 127

Sharpshooters,

Captain G. M.

Barber.

14th Colored ... ... ... 29 711 740

Troops, Lieutenant

Colonel Henry C.

Corbin.

Post Chattanooga, 14 53 67 121 2.571 2.692

Brigadier General

J. B. Steedman.

Total. 14 53 67 194 4.259 4.453

Cavalry.

Command. Offic Men. Total

ers. .

9th Michigan Infantry, Lieutenant ... ... ...

Colonel William Wilkinson.

10th Ohio Infantry, Colonel J. W. Burke. ... ... ...

1st Ohio Sharpshooters, Captain G. M. ... ... ...

Barber.

14th Colored Troops, Lieutenant Colonel ... ... ...

Henry C. Corbin.

Post Chattanooga, Brigadier General J. ... ... ...

B. Steedman.

Total. ... ... ...