[ Autographs ] FORREST CAVALRY OFFICER'S ORDERS A highly unusual grouping of eight documents pertaining to Confederate Captain J.H. Edmondson, an officer in the Tennessee cavalry serving under Forrest, pertaining to military actions following the Confederate evacuation ofCorinth, comprising seven documents written between June 7 and June 18 1862, six being instructions from the headquarters of General Rugglesinstructing Edmondson to deprive the enemy of property and the means of transportation. Samples of the orders contents follow: "... Headquarters Dept. Guards & Depot, Grenada, June 7, 1862...The GeneralComdg. directs that you burn all the cotton that might possibly fall into the hands of the enemy...June 12...In the telegram sent you on the 9th of June, to burn all North and South of Coldwater, the mistakeoccurred in copying off the dispatch. Two companies of cavalry have been ordered to Hernando and should have arrived there last night... Captain Edmondson will forward by flag of truce the enclosed package to Dr. Curry...June 14, 1862 [A telegram rather than a written order]..[you will] take measures to break up the rail road track in advance of Hernando immediately. Bring the rails to this terminus. I wish the most effective obstructions. Remove the telegraphs, wire & etc.... Daniel Ruggles...June 15 1862...The Commanding General directs me to say...that you will detach a Commissioned officer with a sufficient number of non-commissioned officers and men to impress the negro forceof sufficient strength to break up the railroad and destroy the bridges beyond Hernando immediately. You will require that they take loose rails and use them as levers to tear off other rails This destruction...will be extended to various points along the railroad...Require the civil authorities to destroy the cotton...in accordance with Confederate Law...Office of Chief Quartermaster, June 15...Tear up the track and have the Iron removed South a soon as possible... Destroy the bridges on the railroad as you come South by order of Brig Gen. Ruggles...June 18, 1862 [by telegram]...establish your depot this side of Coldwater. Prepare to burn bridges on the appearance of the enemy Secure all the rolling stock and burn all the cotton in advance. Danl. Ruggles, Brig. Genl....". Also included is a handwritten list compiled for Captain Edmonson by Thomas Morris, 49th Tenn. Inf., giving the amounts of cotton burned in Desoto County, Ms.,and Edmonson's loyalty oath to the United States, dated New York, June9th, 1865, listing him as "Late Colonel of the 9th Tenn. Cav., Forrest's Command". An interesting grouping, all in very good condition.