C. S. Hamilton to Brigadier- General, November 7, 1862

November 7, 1862.

November 7, 1862.

Major-General GRANT, Oommanding :

GENERAL: Quinby’s division is selected for the reconnaissance tomorrow. If McPherson does not go in person Quinby will be in command. Will the cavalry be under his orders? What time should the division start, and can it be furnished with a guide? I have none. The movement will have to be postponed unless the provision train gets up to-night. I hear nothing of it as yet. I shall post Stanley’s division at Davis’ Mill to-morrow, so as to more completely cover the ground between McPherson and me. It will also cover the bridges there and relieve the cavalry now required to hold them. Please let me know if McPherson goes out in command of the reconnaissance. The only thing I get confirmatory of an evacuation is the story of a negro who heard Price say if many more men deserted he would not be able to get his trains off. I somewhat doubt the story.

Send me, if you please, papers of the 5th, if you have them, and also results of elections in the States of New York, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

What do you learn of the provision train ?

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Brigadier- General.