which he did as follows.


Headquarters of the Army of the Cumberland.

Brigadier-General Wood, Commanding Division:

The General Commanding directs that you close up on Reynolds as
fast as possible, and support him,

Respectfully, etc.,

FRANK S. BOND,
Major and Aid-de-Camp.


This order was written by an officer who had no military experience
prior to the war, and, as the order shows on its face, embraced much
more than the General Commanding intended it should. The orderly
who carried this order to Wood reported on his return that "General
Wood on receipt of the order remarked that he 'was glad the order
was in writing, as it was a good thing to have for future reference.'
That he carefully took out his note-book, safely deposited the order
in it, and then proceeded to execute it." Wood's official report
contains the order written out in full. He says that it was eleven
o'clock when it reached him. "General McCook was with me when
I received it. I informed him that I would immediately carry it
into execution, and suggested to him that he should close up his
command rapidly on my right, to prevent the occurrence of a gap in
the line. He said he would do so, and immediately rode away."