PADUCAH, KY., October 17, 1864.

Captain J. BATES DICKSON,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Lexington, Ky.:

CAPTAIN: A cavalry force of between 200 and 300 appeared this evening in Ballard County; reported to be the advance of a large force. Will send out what few cavalry I have and ascertain their strength. Is it possible for your to give me some assistantce? Send cavalry if you have them. Will keep you posted.

S. MEREIDTH,

Brigadier-General.

PADUCAH, KY., October 17, 1864.

Colonel J. N. McARTHUR, Commanding, Columbus, Ky.:

COLONEL: A force of 200 cavalry is reported between Mound City and Cairo. Send Captain Smith and Lieutenant Neely with their cavalry early to-morrow morning. I will send cavalry from this place to meet them. Keep your command prepared, ready for an attack, and have all Government property ready. It may be Forrest's advanced guard, and you may be attacked early in the morning.

S. MEREDITH,

Brigadier-General.

PADUCAH, October 17, 1864.

(Received 10 a. m. 18th.)

Colonel SPRAGUE, Commanding:

COLONEL: A force of cavalry 200 in number was seen on the Kentucky shore at the houses of Mrs. Adams and Mrs. Hawes. Ascertain about them, and keep me posted. Seen between Mound City and Cairo.

S. MEREDITH,

Brigadier-General.

LOUISVILLE, October 17, 1864.

Captain J. BATES DICKSON,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Lexington, Ky.:

Owen County is literally overrun by guerrillas; the provost- marshal can do nothing. Doctor Snell is here. If you can send 200 men to Owenton at once, please advise me when they will be there.

THOS. B. FAIRLEIGH,

Lieutenat-Colonel Twenty-sixth Kentucky, Commanding.

LOUISVILLE, October 17, 1864.

Colonel KEIGWIN,

Commanding Forty-ninth Indiana Infantry, Nashville, Tenn.:

General Burbridge directs that you return to this place at once with your command.

T. B. FAIRLEIGH,

Lieutenant Colonel Twenty-sixth Kentucky Infantry, Commanding.

[OCTOBER 17, 1864. - For Canby to Halleck, in relation to movement of a part of Kirby Smith's command to Mississippi, see Vol. XLI.]