between Rutherford's Creek and Duck River with about 7,000 cavalry. General Wilson will cross General Hatch's division of cavalry on the ruins of the railroad bridge and strike Forrest on the flank, whilst you attack him in front. Confer with General Wilson and arrange the relative time of starting the two columns. General Smith will co-operate with you by moving from Spring Hill by a road crossing the headwaters of Rutherford's Creek and passing the school-house and church at A. Atkinson's and coming into the Columbia and Raleigh [Rally] Hill road near J. Caldwell's. Take no wagons with you except the necessary ammunition wagons and ambulances. Your supply train can be brought up afterward.

Very respectfully,

ROBT. H. RAMSEY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, FOURTH ARMY CORPS, December 18 [19], 1864.

(Received 10 a. m.)

Lieutenant-Colonel FULLERTON,
Chief of Staff:

COLONEL: General Grose's brigade are at work. They have felled trees, but the trees would not reach across. General Grose is now making a raft and with every prospect of success. He will probably, almost certainly, have his brigade all across before morning. My troops will all be rationed, as your ordered, before morning. I have just come from the creek, and everything is going as well as possible under the circumstances.

Very respectfully,

NATHAN KIMBALL,

Brigadier-General.

The rebels are making their appearance in front of General Grose. They were not there when he first want down.

NATHAN KIMBALL,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTER FIRST DIVISION, FOURTH ARMY CORPS, December 18 [19], 1864.

(Received 11.30 p. m.)

Lieutenant Colonel J. S. FULLERTON,

Chief of Staff, Fourth Army Corps:

COLONEL: General Grose reports that it is impossible for him to get a man across the river on a raft. He has lost two rafts and two men drowned in the attempt, owing to the swiftness of the current. There drowned in the attempt, owing to the swiftness of the current. There are no trees he can fell that will reach across. He can only cross the river by bridging it. He has a good engineer (Major Watson) with him.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

NATHAN KIMBALL,

Brigadier-General.