The position I have is a good one, but the line to be defended is over a mile in length. Marshall came up and looked at it, but declined attempting it without artillery.

I shall hold with my present, force, if possible, but another good regiment is much needed here. Can you let me have it, and, if so, immediately?

Please answer by telegraph.

JULIUS WHITE,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington City, March 28, 1863.

You will make no purchase of arms under orders from General Boyle or General Wright, nor without express authority from the Chief of Ordnance or from this Department.

* * * * * *

By order of the Secretary of War:

P. H. WATSON,

Assistant Secretary of War.

CAIRO, March 29, 1863-2 p.m.

Brigadier General JAMES A. GARFIELD:

Those boats all move up the Tennessee River. Have telegraphed to commanding naval officer at Smithland, Ky., with the hope that gunboats are at that place, as follows:

W. S. Rosecrans desires to send 2,000 men from Nashville, by boats up Tennessee River to Florence. Desires gunboats to convoy them. Give them the convoy required without delay. Acknowledge receipt of this.

Very cold to-day.

A. M. PENNOCK,

Fleet Captain and Commanding Station.

HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-FIRST ARMY CORPS,
Mufreesborough, Tenn., March 29, 1863-11.45 p.m.

Brigadier General H. P. VAN CLEVE,

Commanding Third Division:

GENERAL: The general commanding has received information tending to show a probable attack on the forces at Cripple Creek and Readyville, both on the Muffresborough, McMinnville, or Woodbury pike. He therefore directs that you move at 3 a.m. to-morrow with two brigades and two batteries to Cripple Creek, the men to have two days' rations in their haversacks, with 100 rounds ammunition. On arriving at Criplle Creek, you will once communicate with Colonel Hazen at Readyville; and unless you deem it necessary to move to Colonel