HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Tunnel Hill, May 8, 1864.

Major General O. O. HOWARD,
Commanding Fourth Army Corps, Tunnel Hill:

GENERAL: The major-general commanding the department directs that you send re-enforcements to General Wood, and give him orders to continue his reconnaissance as far as practicable.

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

WM. D. WHIPPLE,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.,

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH ARMY CORPS, Tunnel Hill, May 8, 1864-8.50 a. m.

Major-General PALMER,
Commanding Fourteenth Army Corps:

GENERAL: One of General Sherman's staff officers has just reported to Major-General Howard, stating that General Sherman had gone to General Schofield's headquarters, and that General Thomas have gone to General Hooker's; that they would not be back until afternoon and that General Howard would be in command of the forces here in the mean time.

The general wishes you to put your troops under arms and advance a very little, making a show of your force, so that it may be seen by the enemy.

By order of Major-General Howard:

J. S. FULLERTON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH ARMY CORPS, Tunnel Hill, May 8, 1864-12.45 p. m.

Major-General PALMER,
Commanding Fourteenth Corps:

In accordance with the instructions just received from Major-General Sherman, I wish you to move Baird's division with the leading brigade in column down the road on which your left rests, until its front passes the hill just in your front on which your signal station is located.

O. O. HOWARD,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH ARMY CORPS, Tunnel Hill, May 8, 1864-6.05 p. m.

General NEWTON,
Commanding Second Division:

The general commanding directs that you go into camp at about the position you now occupy, and that you connect your pickets with General Wood's if possible.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. S. FULLERTON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.