HEADQUARTERS SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Near Flint River, Ga., August 31, 1864.

Brigadier General C. R. WOODS,

Commanding Third Division:

GENERAL: I send inclosed a letter from Major General O. O. Howard, indorsed for your action. The major-general commanding desires you to move your command across the river at once and get them in position for the object indicated. You will then send word to General Smith (who will fire the signal guns), and move forward at once.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. J. ALEXANDER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Inclosure.]

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Near Jonesborough, Ga., August 31, 1864.

Major General F. P. BLAIR,

Commanding Seventeenth Army Corps:

GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that you hold a division of your command in readiness to make a reconnaissance in force this afternoon at 4 o'clock. The point to debouch from is near the brigade of your command already across the river. General Logan will make a strong demonstration along his entire front at the same hour. General Ransom will make a feint of moving to the right. The object of the reconnaissance is to obtain information of the position and strength of the enemy's forces, to ascertain whether his lines are continuous beyond our left, to occupy his attention while Generals Thomas and Schofield are endeavoring to get upon the railroad, and certainly get upon the railroad ourselves if able at any point. When General Blair is ready to debouch from the lines he will give a signal of six guns in quick succession from a battery this side of the river. The major-general commanding will be present on the left at the hour named.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. L. TAGGART,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Flint Creek, Ga., August 31, 1864.

Respectfully referred to Brigadier General C. R. Woods, commanding Third Division, whose command is detailed for this duty.

This will include the brigade already across the river, with the exception of one regiment which it is understood has been detached by Major-General Logan.

By order of Major-General Blair:

A. J. ALEXANDER.

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, August 31, 1864.

General SCHOFIELD,

Army of the Ohio:

I wrote you in the night and the couriers are back with a receipt, so I suppose you are moving toward Mrs. Long's or Morrow's Mill. I was