Joseph A. Mower to Frederick Steele, September 5, 1864
Maj. Gen. F. STEELE, Commanding Department of Arkansas:
GENERAL: I have the honor to report the arrival of my command here. I have about 4,000 infantry, 2 batteries, and 250 cavalry. Also a division of cavalry crossed to the west side of the Mississippi, at Memphis, on the morning of the 2d instant, and were to move by land to Clarendon. They should have arrived there to-day.
IT inclose herewith an extract from a letter of instructions from MajorGeneral Washburn, in which he directs me to return as soon as possible. An officer from General Sherman (Lieutenant-Colonel Howard) arrived at Memphis the day before I left. He was there for the purpose of taking the right wing of the Sixteenth Army Corps (of which my division forms a part), to the army in front of Atlanta. This, I presume, is the reason of General Washburn’s earnest desire that I should return as soon as possible. lam awaiting your orders as to whether I shall remain here or proceed farther.
very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Major-General, Commanding Division.
{Inclosure. }