NASHVILLE, October 28, 1864-9. 30 p. m.

Colonel W. P. LYON,

Huntsville, Ala.:

Your dispatch of this p. m. is received. please express to Captain Morton my thanks for the activity displayed by him in patrolling the river, and also fort he valuable information he forwards. I wish you to impress upon your guards and pickets on the river the necessity of exercising the greatest vigilance at all times.

GEO. H. THOMAS,

Major-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.

HDQRS. MEMPHIS AND CHARLESTON R. R. DEFENSES,
Huntsville, Ala., October 28, 1864.

COMMANDING OFFICER 181ST Ohio VOLUNTEER INFANTRY:

General Granger, commanding District of Northern Alabama, directs that you proceed at once with your command by railroad to Athens, Ala. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. P. LYON,

Colonel Thirteenth Wisconsin, Commanding.

CENTERE STAR, ALA., October 28, 1864.

(Via Pulaski.)

Major-General THOMAS:

Have not been able to hear from Lyon. I have had scouts across the river at several points, and can find no rumor even that Forrest or any force as traveled east. If Forrest is not in WEST Tennessee I think he has gone to Mobile, to which point he sent two brigades of infantry before his alter aid. The rebels had but a feeble picket on the river below Florence, but a strong one opposite my position. I think they apprehend we will cross the river.

Respectfully,

JOHN T. CROXTON,

Brigadier-General of Volunteers.

NASHVILLE, TENN., October 28, 1864-9. 15 p. m.

Brigadier General John T. CROXTON,

Center Star, Ala., via Pulaski:

Your dispatch of this date is just received. The enemy appear to be in force only in front of Decatur. Ganger has had two encounters with them to-day, and worsted them both times. Watch them closely and report frequently, keeping your force well in hand to resist any attempt to cross in your front or vicinity.

GEO. H. THOMAS,

Major-General, U. S . Volunteers, Commanding.

NASHVILLE, TENN., October 28, 1864.

Brigadier General John T. CROXTON,

Florence, via Pulaski:

(To be forwarded.)

I wish you to make me a report as to the feasibility of defending the line of the Tennessee River by block-houses or small redoubts at the