HUNTSVILLE, October 27, 1864.

Major-general THOMAS:

The following dispatches have just been received from Whitesburg:

U. S. STEAMER GENERAL THOMAS,

ff Hobson's Island, October 27, 1864-11 a. m.

Captain M. FORREST,

Commanding Eleventh District, MISSISSIPPI Squadron, Bridgeport, Ala.:

SIR: Have been up the river in vicinity of Fort Deposit and Beard's Bluff. No enemy seen on the banks of the river this morning. Heard heavy trains moving along the mountain roads all night. Took on board one of General Granger's scouts just in from between Warrenton and Guntersville. He reports main force of the enemy moving down river toward Decatur; courier going to General Hood; that a large Federal force is this side of Gadsden in pursuit. All right on board.

G. MORTON,

Acting Master, Commanding.

U. S. STEAMER GENERAL THOMAS.

Colonel LYON,

Huntsville:

SIR: It rained very heavily all night, and I will godown river as soon as possible. The probabilities are that the river will rise, and I will pass Whitesburg to-night.

G. MORTON,

Acting Master, Commanding.

All quiet at Whitesburg.

WM. P. LYON, Colonel Thirteenth Wisconsin, Commanding.

HUNTSVILLE, October 27, 1864.

Major-General THOMAS:

Commanding officer at Whitesburg says that one of my scouts just in there reports Hood's army, 25,000 or 30,000 strong, was at Summit last night with plenty of pontoons. I do not know his means of information. Deserters in to-night say that Hood was at Summit last Sunday night and that 2,000 of his men, who were sent from Gadsden to Blue Mountain to go to the army by railroad.

WM. PO. LYON,

Colonel Thirteenth Wisconsin, Commanding.

NASHVILLE, TENN., October 27, 1864.

Brigadier General John T. CROXTON,

Florence and Pulaski:

General Granger reports that the enemy has moved from his front toward Moulton, on the Moulton and Somerville road. Keep a sharp lookout watching their movements down the river. Resist their efforts to cross as long as possible, and report promptly any movements you may discover.

GEO. H. THOMAS,

Major-General of Volunteers, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS,
Lexington, Ky., October 27, 1864-12. 30 p. m.

(Received 3 p. m.)

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Chief of Staff:

General Meredith telegraphs that he has received a dispatch from General Sherman stating that the enemy under Forrest is moving upon