Done at the city of Washington this 5th day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty- four, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty ninth.

[L. S.]

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

By the President:

WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

Secretary of State.

By order of the Secretary of War:

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant- General.

CITY POINT, VA., July 19, 1864- 10. 30 p. m.

Major- General SHERMAN,

Near Atlanta, Ga.:

I see by Richmond papers of yesterday that Smith has left Tupelo, and is moving toward Ripley. Although they call it a retreat I judge from S. D. Lee's dispatch that Forrest has been badly whipped. Smith, however, ought to be instructed to keep a close watch on Forrest, and not permit him to gather strength and move into Middle Tennessee.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant- General.

SALEM, July 19, 1864- 9 p. m.

Major General C. C. WASHBURN:

I have the honor to report that I will arrive in La Grange on the morning of the 21st with my command in good order, and will go into camp and await your further orders.

A. J. SMITH,

Major- General.

HEADQUARTERS,
Lexington, Ky., July 20, 1864. (Received 5. 25 p. m.)

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Chief of Staff:

I have just returned from Louisville; find matters there progressing satisfactorily. Have directed Brigadier General Hugh Ewing to move his headquarters from Munfordville to Louisville, at which place he can as readily control his command and in addition exercise a general superintendence of affairs at Louisville.

S. G. BURBRIDGE,

Brevet Major- General.

LEXINGTON, KY., July 20, 1864.

Major General J. M. SCHOFIELD,

Commanding Army of the Ohio, near Atlanta, Ga.:

The 3rd of August is the day fixed upon, but I think it will be postponed. Later information from Eastern Kentucky leads me to suppose that the rebels will not make an invasion immediately. Governor Mor-