J. T. Wilder to Merrill, August 24, 1863

Captain MERRILL, Chief Signal Officer : General Wood, of Crittenden’s corps, is at Therman, 21 miles from here by good roads. Don’t know where corps headquarters are. REYNOLDS, General.

Hpgrs. First Brigc., FourtH Div., 14TH ARMY CORPS, Foot of Mountain, Anderson Road, August 24, 1863. (Received 26th.)

Lieut. Col. C. GopDaRD, Assistant Adjutant-General :

I have the honor to report two regiments and a section of artillery camped at Poe’s, with strong guards watching the river at Harrison’s and from Chickamauga to Dallas, and three regiments and four guns here, 5 miles from Chattanooga, with strong pickets out as far as the river, and patrols watching every point from the Suck, or Narrows, to the mouth of Chickamauga.

Two men who swam the river last night report that Hill’s corps is at Harrison’s and elong the river in that vicinity. Polk’s corps is reported in and about Chattanooga.

egroes, who swam the river yesterday men ene report that the rebels removed the machinery from the rolling-mill the night before. The pontoon-bridge is taken up, and the boats are tied at the landing.

An agree in this, that we scared them badly with our shells, killed The steam-boat we sunk is half under water. It is the Tennessee. The other, a side-wheel boat without upper works, is said to have her machinery broken by our shot; her name is Dunbar ; lying tied to the wharf apparently useless. Both boats were right under their batteries. ;

Last night thirteen trains of cars came into town appar Uy empty, and five went out loaded, at least the noise made by them indicated such to be the case. There are a number of wagons in the town to-day. Allseem busy. They arestrengthening their position with rifle-pits to-day. All the fords above are defended by rifle-pits and guns in works. ‘

Two of my regiments went to Sale Creek yesterday, 28 miles from Chattanooga, where they found Colonel Minty, who reports Forrest are carefully removed to the south side of the same. I am, colonel,

very respectfully, yours to command,