_Brigadier-General_.
On February 16th General Van Dorn's command commenced crossing the
Tennessee to join General Bragg's Army. I sent my cavalry to attack him. I
wired General Rosecrans that we had attacked Van Dorn's rear guard and
took some fifty prisoners from him. He had with him General Roddey,
commander of some fifteen hundred men, of which we captured about two
hundred. These prisoners said they were ordered to join General Bragg's
Army. General Rosecrans, in answer to my dispatch, sent me this message:
MURFREESBOROUGH, February 16, 1863.
_Brigadier-General Dodge, Corinth, Miss._:
Hurlbut's request and my own coincide. Hope you will be able to cut
off some of Van Dorn's command. Will give you all our news in your
direction. Accept my thanks for your promptness and energy.