DALTON, May 10, 1864-9 p. m.

Lieutenant-General POLK:

General Johnston wishers you to concentrate your troops at Resaca. Assume command of that place and of the district, including Rome, and of Martin's cavalry, and make the proper dispositions to defend the passage of the river and our communications. General Johnston suggests the immediate movement of Forrest into Middle Tennessee. He is fully persuaded he would meet there no force that could resist him.

W. W. MACKALL,

Chief of Staff.

ROME, GA., May 10, 1864.

Major General S. D. LEE, Demopolis:

Lieutenant-General Polk wishers you to send Lowry's and Brown's regiments, via Selma and Montgomery, to Rome. Their transportation will go by Montevallo.

DOUGLAS WEST,

Major, &c.

DALTON, May 10, 1864-9 p. m.

Major General S. D. LEE, Demopolis:

Your dispatch of 9th received. Our information leads to the conviction that Forrest would find no force in Middle Tennessee that could resist him. His advance into that country will be of great importance if made early.

J. E. JOHNSTON.

HEADQUARTERS MISSOURI BRIGADE,
In the rain, two miles and a half north of Tuscaloosa, Ala.,

May 10, 1864-8 p. m.

Lieutenant YERGER,

Aide-de-Camp to Major-General French:

LIEUTENANT: Your note, by direction of Major-General French, ordering me to move as rapidly as possible to Montevallo, and thence by railroad to its terminus, and thence by forced marches to Rome, Ga., has just been received, and will be obeyed to the best of my ability.

I am, most truly, your obedient soldier,

F. M. COCKRELL,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS MISSOURI BRIGADE,
In Camp two miles and a half north of Tuscaloosa, Ala.,

May 10, 1864-8 p. m.

Major General S. G. FRENCH,

Commanding Division, &c.:

DEAR GENERAL: Your favor 9th instant at 8 p. m. has just been received and found me in camp as per heading. On the 6th instant about 5 p. m. I received your 5th instant, ordering me to abandon my movement and return to Montevallo. I immediately answered it. At the time of its receipt I was with one regiment, Colonel Flournoy's

44 R R-VOL XXXVIII, PT IV.