CITY POINT, VA., September 1, 1864. - 3. 30 p. m.

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Chief of Staff:

If A. J. Smith has reached Decatur he had better be ordered by rail to Nashville, to get on the tract of Wheeler and drive him south. If be has not arrived, Chattanooga and all point on the road not threatened can be stripped to the lowest standard and sent north after Wheeler.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

LEXINGTON, KY., September 1, 1864.

Adjutant-General LINDSEY,

Frankfort, Ky.:

Two hundred rebels, under Jessee, are reported four miles from New Castle, on Port Royal road. Send a courier to Lieutenant-Colonel Craddock with information. He is on his way to Ghent, but should come back and whip this squad.

J. S. BUTLER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

LEBANON, September 1, 1864.

Captain J. S. BUTLER,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

If any of Wheeler's forces enter Kentucky east of Bowling Green they will cross Cumberland River at Celina, Gainesborough, or Burkesville, and, in that event, am I not too far removed from those places to watch his movements?

E. H. HOBSON,

Brigadier-General.

LEBANON, September 1, 1864.

Captain J. S. BUTLER,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

Just received dispatch from Colonel True. He left Bowling Green this morning. He reports having captured 14 of Sypert's men, and scattered his force in every direction; killed quite a number. I have telegraphed Colonel True how to move.

E. H. HOBSON,

Brigadier-General.

CAMP BURNSIDE, September 1, 1864.

Captain J. S. BUTLER,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

Captain F. H. Mason, Twelfth Ohio Volunteer cavalry, reports this a. m. from Monticello, as follows:

Having scouted the road running south from this place, in accordance with your instructions, and from testimony of reliable Union men, I make the following report: Wheeler's cavalry left Clinch River, East Tenn., on Friday last; pushed northwestward until it reached a point twenty-four miles from jamestown, Tenn., where