near Calhoun's or Babb's Mill, if consistent with all other movements. The brigade can join him on the road direct if should be so ordered. Will you please send an order direct to Colonel Ireland.

CHAS. W. ASMUSSEN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS TWENTIETH ARMY CORPS, Mrs. Reed's House, May 8, 1864-12.20 p. m.

Brigadier General WILLIAM D. WHIPPLE,
Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: General Kilpatrick and [Colonel] Ireland reached Villanow at 7.30 a. m. The former communicated with McPherson's forces on the road leading to Ship's Gap, on the Villanow side of it. Have ordered him in; also Ireland. No enemy; no news.

Very respectful, your obedient servant,

JOSEPH HOOKER,

Major-General, Commanding.

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Tunnel Hill, May 8, 1864. (Received 12.45 a. m. 9th.)

Major General JOSEPH HOOKER,
Commanding Twentieth Army Corps, Anderson's House:

GENERAL; General Howard's and General Palmer's skirmishers will be advanced early to-morrow morning. The major-general commanding desires that your order Butterfield's skirmishers to co-operate with General Palmer's, as the latter sweeps along the side of the ridge, by advancing over the ground which lies directly in front of them.

What news from Geary? Has he obtained possession of the ridge; or what resistance has he met with?

Yours, very respectfully,

WM. D. WHIPPLE,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

GENERAL: Harker's brigade is upon Rocky Face Ridge, but has not entire possession of it. Howard and Palmer have possession close up to the gap at Buzzard Roost. We hold now all that we obtained in February last upon the reconnaissance. Some casualties this day. Fifteen wounded in Harker's brigade reported.

W. D. W.

HEADQUARTERS TWENTIETH ARMY CORPS, May 8, 1864-3 p. m.

[General HOOKER:]

We have arrived at the foot of the gap. So far we have only met a few cavalry squads, driving them before us; the road leading across the mountain lies plainly before us, although approaches are thickly