E.D. Townsend to Speoial Field Orders, } Hpaqrs. 13th A. C., Dept. Of Tenn, December 18, 1862

Jackson, Tenn., December 18, 1862.

Instructions to Colonel Lawler, commanding Post of Jackson, Tenn.

Place one section of artillery and 50 men at Mrs. Hays’ house, near depot ; 100 men in brick depot; 50 men in Tomlin’s house; 50 men in G. N. Harris’ house.

The officers in command of these parties will see that their men have 100 rounds of ammunition each on their persons, with an additional 100 rounds in boxes in the houses to be occupied; also four gallons of water to each man, with three days’ rations of, at least, coffee and bread. Three crow-bars will be provided for each house.

The negroes in town will at daylight be pressed into the service, and be employed in carrying stores within theinner line. They will also be prepared, under charge of a competent officer, to level the tences from Tomlin’shouse out. There will be in the court-houseat least four gallons of water per man; also water with buckets in cupola of court-house. The windows and doors in front will be removed; the rear blockaded and loop-holed. Officers’ wives and loyal ladies in the city will be prepared to leave town at a moment/s notice. They will be furnished transportation to Trenton, Tenn. Major Smith will see that these orders are executed.

By order of Brig. Gen. Jer. O. Sullivan : –

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

CoRINTH, Miss., December 18, 1862. General SULLIVAN:

One of my men arrived just now. Left Shelbyville Friday; Colum. bia Saturday ; went to Tuscumbia ; could not get through and returned to Waynesborough; left there yesterday at 2 o’clock. ,

Forrest, with 2,000 to 2,500 cavalry and five pieces of artillery, left Columbia Saturday, crossed the Tennessee at Clifton, or near there, Tuesday; Napier, with from 2,000 to 3,000 and four pieces of artillery, crossing at Carrollsville Monday to join Forrest. They reported that they were to strike Jackson first and Bethel next, the intention being to stop supplies to our army. No infantry had left Shelbyville west, but there was a movement of all forces taking place north. Some said they were to go west, but this could not be ascertained. No infantry accompanied Forrest to Columbia. The scout that brings this has

never yet failed, and I believe his statement. Hesaw Forrest’s cavalry and artillery, but did not see Napier’s command, but saw inen from Carrolisville who did see it.

CorinTH, Miss., December 18, 1862. General SULLIVAN:

I move. At what time will you move? Where is the enemy? A force is reported at Chalk Bluff. Can you order a scout out from Bethel? General Grant has ordered me to move and in conjunction with you to attack Forrest.

BETHEL, December 18, 1862. General SULLIVAN :

Colonel Hurst, just from that locality, reports rebels on White Oak Creek, 11 miles west of Clifton, and between the road leading from Clifton to Jackson and this place. He don’t think the force large.

WM. R. MORRISON, Colonel, Commanding Post.

; CoRINTH, December 18, 1862. General SULLIVAN: I move immediately with my force. Order Colonel Morrison to join me with one regiment or more, as can be spared. G. M. DODGE, Brigadier. General.

TRENTON, TENN., December 18, 1862. General SULLIVAN: Six men of Colonel Hawkins’ Second West Tennessee Cavalry, just arrived from Lexington, report that they, with cavalry from Jackson, met the enemy at daybreak this morning near Lexington; that our troops, after a sharp fight, were repulsed and two pieces of artillery taken from us. 3 JACOB FRY, Oolonel, Commanding Post.

GENERAL ORDERS, WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJT. GEN.’s OFFICE, No. 210. Washington, December 18, 1862.

By the direction of the President the troops in the Department of the Tennessee and those of the Department of the Missouri operating on the Mississippi River will be divided into four army corps, to be numbered the Thirteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, and Seventeénth.

Maj. Gen. J. A. McClernand is assigned to the command of the Thir: teenth Army Corps; ilo a Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman to the command of the Fifteenth Army Orps ; Maj. Gen. S. A. Hurlbut to the command of the Sixteenth Army Corps; and ‘ Maj. Gen. J. B. McPherson to the command of the Seventeenth Army

By order of the Secretary of War:

Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPEOIAL FIELD ORDERS, } Hpaqrs. 13TH A. C., DEPT. OF TENN.,

No. 27. Oxford, Miss., December 18, 1862.

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VI. Foraging for any troops of an organized division will be conducted and regulated under the authority of the division commanders.

Each division commander will select a suitable officer, who will report