Select a position as nearly as possible midway, securing to the brigade easy access to Columbia and Shelbyville. Instruct the brigade to receive the orders of Major-General Van Dorn, who, in certain circumstances, has authority to draw it to him.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. W. MACKALL,

Chief of Staff.

KNOXVILLE, April 28, 1863

Colonel B. S. EWELL,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Tullahoma;

Buckner is ordered to command this department.* I am ordered to Mobile to command that department. May I visit Richmond for a day or two on private business before going to Mobile?

DABNEY H. MAURY,

Major-General.

KNOXVILLE [TENN.], April 28, 1863

Major General SAMUEL JONES,

Commanding Department of West Virginia:

Can you hold a force near Abingdon ready to re-enforce me if invaded? If so, how much, and when can it be there?

DABNEY H. MAURY

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF EAST TENNESSEE,
Knoxville [Tenn.], April. 28, 1863

Major General SAMUEL JONES,

Commanding Department of West Virginia:

DEAR GENERAL: I daily receive reports indicating a purpose of the enemy to invade this department. His troops are assembling north of the Cumberland River, at various points between London and Glasgow. I hope it will be in your power to afford me some support in the event of an invasion, and that you can hold a force near Abingdon in readiness to move in this direction should I apprise you of a necessity there-for.

I feel sure that only imperative necessities of your own department will prevent you from affording me any aid I may require.

Very truly and respectfully, yours,

DABNEY H. MAURY,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF EAST TENNESSEE,
Knoxville, April 28, 1863

Colonel R. C. TRIGG:

It is desired that you will proceed with the least possible delay and assume command of the first district of this department. You will es-

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*Under date of April 27, 1863. See Series I, Vol. XV, pp. 1055, 1056.

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