Chas. R. Thompson, August 16, 1863

{Capt. GEoRGE LEE, Assistant Adjutant-General :] With a glass last night we were all of the opinion that the rebels had a strong working party at the point named. A deserter, however, just swam across from the island (the color-bearer of the Seventh Mississippi), who says positively that they are not erecting works, and that they have nothing but Robertson’s battery. Pike has gone out to Battle Creek on a scout. He drifted on a dug-out down the river last night and heard, he says, drums in that direction, The deserter says the men last night were probably cooking rations. If the group appears again may Sutermeister try a couple of shots with his Rodmans to test range and ammunition? All quiet. Week i YyoDien Brigadier-General. HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-FIRST ARMY CoRPs, Manchester, August 16, 1863—10 a. m., The corps is under orders, and no doubt in motion: I find I have one eta is ee mounted infantry, Thirty-ninth Indiana. I remain here until Monday morning. Will overtake General Palmer at Irving College Monday night, and be at Dunlap at the time fixed. Will do my best to execute your orders. I send this in cipher, so that I may know how it works, Major-General, Commanding. Ne ee WINCHESTER, August 16, 1863. Major-General CRITTENDEN : Your dispatch received. The general commanding instructs me to say that you can borrow some cavalry from Minty after you get in the valley. When they report, send the company of mounted infantry, with all dispatches you may wish to send, to its corps. Send in cipher. Full headings are useless in cipher dispatches.

CHAS. R. THOMPSON,