Benjamin H. Grierson to Lieutenant-Colonel RAWLINS, August 24, 1863

August 24, 1863. Lieutenant-Colonel RAWLINS: When General Steele left this command he took with him two companies of cavalry, attached to the First Division. No orders 10 R R—VOL XXX, PT III permitting the transfer were ever received at these headquarters, and, in absence of any official knowledge to contrary, I am obliged to report them absent without leave. If any orders detaching them were issued, will you have the goodness to forward them, that I may keep records straight. I have also to bring to your notice the fact that General Steele took with him the entire records and papers of the division, in fact the entire material of the adjutant-general’s office—books, orders, desks, &c. Ihave to ask that you will issue an order causing them to be returned, as without them the military history of the division is lost. W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS, Hpagrs. Cav. Div., 16TH ARMY CORPS, No. 43. Memphis, Tenn., August 24, 1863.

I. In order to carry out the provisions of General Orders, No. 5, from these headquarters, dated August 20, 1863, Col. J. K. Mizner will proceed with the Third Michigan Cavairy from La Grange to Corinth and assume command of the First Brigade at that point. Such portions of the First Brigade as are stationed at Glendale and Danville will remain so until further orders.

I. I. Such portions of the Second Brigade as are now at Germantown will proceed to La Grange, Tenn., and in the absence of Col. L. F. McCrillis the ranking officer of the brigade will assume command thereof.

By order of Brig. Gen. B. H. Grierson :