mountains by which the enemy lately approach. in selecting this position, rear must be had to the facilities for obtaining supplies and forage.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

CHAS. S. STRINGFELLOW,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF EAST TENNESSEE,
July 31, 1863.

Brigadier General J. PEGRAM, Commanding Brigade:

GENERAL: Brigadier-General Forrest writes to theses headquarters from Kington, July 30:

I have arrived here and assumed command. My force are on picket from this place to Chattanooga. No news from the front. Can you send me a map of the country Pikeville in this direction? Give me the position of your pickets to your right.

The major-general commanding directs you to establish communication with General Forrest, and keep in constant communication with him. There is but little news in this department. Colonel Scott was attacked in his rear on the 27th instant. I will inform you of the details as soon as they shall have been received.

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

V. SHELIHA,

Chief of Staff.

Abstract from return of the troops in Department Numbers 2. General Braxton Bragg commanding, for July 31, 1863; headquarters Chattanooga, Tenn.

Command. Presen Presen

t for t for

duty. duty.

Office Men. Effect Aggreg Aggreg Aggreg

rs. ive ate ate ate

total. presen presen absent

t. t and and

absent absent

. last

return

.

General staff 23 ... ... 23 25 24

(Chattanooga,

Tenn.)

Polk's 1,270 13,939 13,694 17,768 25,250 25,459

corps:*

Infantry.

Cavalry. 6 90 90 132 215 217

Artillery. 31 746 724 850 970 971

Total Polk's 1,307 14,775 14,508 18,750 26,435 26,647

corps.

Hill's corps: 1,111 12,403 12,186 16,634 23,499 24,121

Infantry.

Cavalry. 10 127 127 170 209 205

Artillery. 28 642 636 771 877 877

Total Hill's 1,149 13,172 12,949 17,575 24,585 25,230

corps.

Jackson's 104 1,385 1,356 1,859 2,387 2,380

brigade.

Infantry.

Artillery. 8 143 140 161 187 189

Total 112 1,528 1,496 2,020 2,574 2,569

Jackson's

brigade.

Artillery 25 450 385 485 547 546

reserve.

Infantry with 17 202 193 25 339 342

Artillery

Reserve.

Total. 42 607 578 736 886 888

Walthall's brigade, Wither's division, reported present for duty, is stationed at Atlanta. Effective total, 2,083; aggregate present and about, 3, 463.