Unknown to William S. Rosecrans, November 22, 1863

General ROSECRANS:

Major , of the Paymaster’s Department, just arrived, reports Morgan, with 4,000 men, near Hartsville and west of that place, sending out small squads and picking up large numbers of stragglers. Our men put themselves in the way of being taken. Will you issue order having one-half of the head of every rascal paroled on straggling shaved? It will do good. May not Kirby Smith have circulated information of his returning to Kentucky, feeling sure that you would disbelieve it? Reports are made of rebel force in Cumberland Gap road.