HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO, January 31, 1864.

Brigadier-General COX,
Commanding Twenty-third Army Corps:

You will send the reconnaissance ordered toward Sevierville at daylight to-morrow, with instructions to observe carefully the Trundle's Cross-road, with orders to report at once should they find any force has passed there toward Maryville.

By order of General Foster:

J. F. ANDERSON,

Major and Aide-de-Camp.

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH ARMY CORPS, Loudon, Tenn., January 31, 1864.

Major General P. H. SHERIDAN,
Commanding Second Division, Fourth Army Corps:

GENERAL: You will bring up Sherman's brigade of your division from Kingston and encamp it on the north side of the river opposite this place, as soon as possible.

No more veteran regiments will be sent home until further orders.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. GRANGER,

Major-General, Commanding.

KNOXVILLE, January 31, 1864-12 m.

General GRANGER:

Orders have arrived to prepare to take the offensive. Stop all regiments and officers that are about to go home. Bring up your brigade from Kingston. Get things in hand and be ready for orders.

General Willich must be re-enforced i he is attacked, also as to avoid losing more country.

J. G. FOSTER,

Major-General, Commanding.

KNOXVILLE, January 31, 1864-10 a. m.

General GRANGER:

Dispatch received. With regard to horsing of the section of Willich's battery, I cannot understand why you did not attend to it before the battery left his place, as I requested you to be particular and have the batteries well supplied with 8 horses t each piece and caisson. It is now too late, I fear. I believe all the extra horses have been turned over to the cavalry.

J. G. FOSTER,

Major-General, Commanding.

KNOXVILLE, January 31, 1864-7.30 p. m.

Major-General GRANGER:

General Sturgis is falling back upon Maryville with his whole force, on account, his quartermaster says, of starvation. General Willich to-day gave him 6,000 rations. Longstreet's infantry is near