SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Numbers 24.
Nashville, Tenn., december 20, 1863

* * * *

2. Major G. P. Thurston, assistant adjutant-general of volunteers, having reported to these headquarters in pursuance of special Orders, Numbers 499, War Department, Adjutant-General's Office, dated Washington, November 10, 1863, is hereby directed to report for duty to Major General George H. Thomas, commanding Department of the Cumberland, at Chattanooga, Tenn.

* * * *

By order of Major General U. S. Grant:

T. S. BOWERS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

[31.]

KNOXVILLE, December 20, 1863.

(Received Strawberry Plains 9 p. M.)

General WILLCOX, Tazewell:

The expected movement has been delayed.* The commanding general wishes you therefore to concentrate your force at Tazewell, watching the fords of the Clinch River. Await further orders. The general wishes a report concerning the loss of the wagon train at Thorn Hill, the strength of the escort, and its conduct in the affair.

E. E. POTTER,

Chief of Staff.

[31.]

KNOXVILLE, December 21, 1863-7 a. M.

General WILLCOX:

Your dispatach received. Halt at Tazewell until further orders, and look out for the trains. I shall order a cavalry brigade to move at once in your direction.

J. G. FOSTER,

Major-General, Commanding.

[31.]

KNOXVILLE, December 21, 1863-8 a. M.

General WILLCOX:

In all matters requiring prompt action please act at once or get orderse from Genaerl Parke at Blain's Cross-Roads. You must watch for a raid on the trains. Colonel Foster, with a brigade is somewhere on the Clinch River between it and the mountains.

J. G. FOSTER,

Major-General.

[31.]

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Numbers 26.
Nashville, Tenn., December 22, 1863

* * * * *

2. Major General James S. Negley, U. S. Volunteers, is hereby directed to proceed to Cincinnati, or to any point outside this military division, and report by letter to the Adjutant-General of the Army for orders.

* * * * *

By order of Major General U. S. Grant:

T. S. BOWERS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

[31.]

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*See Willcox to Foster, VOL. XXXI, Part III, p. 457.

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