John A. Rawlins to S. D. Brucsg, August 15, 1863

Col. S. D. Brucsg, ; The scout I sent out yesterday have orders to scour the country south, and I presume they will go to Waverly or beyond. I learn that the different bands up there ee ose to unite and form a battalion, to be commanded by one Phillips, expecting to receive large accessions from the deserters in that region upon the promise that joining this gang will save them from any trouble on account of their being deserters. They were to meet at Waverly next Monday to organize. If Captain Randall, commanding my mounted infantry, hears of this, he will no doubt be there to participate in the exercises. I think that frequent and vigorous demonstrations on these gangs will deter others from joining them. Captain Randall scouted within 6 miles of Waverly last Sunday with 70 men. He was fired on several times, but had no casualties. He drove them so closely that he got a few of their horses and some of their arms, and learns that he wounded 2 or 3 of them severely. I am much pleased with the manner in which these mounted men are performing their duty. They answer all the purposes of cavalry and are much more orderly. nyols I hope the expedition you sent up Yellow Creek will join Captain

Randall. The force will then be sufficiently strong to go where they lease.

: I have a surveying party, with a strong infantry escort, out nearly

all the time. This week they are running the cross roads between

the river and the Waverly road.

I heard last night of 150 guerrillas on the Tennessee River, 16 miles north of Fort Heiman. I do not believe the report, and have no mounted men to send out to investigate it. I also get reports that.large numbers of guerrillas have recently crossed from West Tennessee into Duck River Bottom, but I have the most reliable evidence that these reports are unfounded. A Union refugee (Mr. Hopwood, whom I know well), who has recently been on there and left only two days ago, is my informant.

Veey

respectfully, your obedient servant,