WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington, September 24, 1863-4 p.m.

Brigadier-General KELLEY,

Clarksburg, W. Va.:

The troops will cross the river at Bellaire. It would be well to have a guard at the crossing, and also to close, all drinking saloons at the principal stations. You will be duly advised when the trains start.

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

NASHVILLE, September 24, 1863-9.30 a.m.

(Received 6.10 p.m.)

Honorable E. M. STANTON:

Detained by firing of Nolen Bridge by guerrillas; fire extinguished by country people on road. Hands leave here for headquarters by special train as soon as it can be made ready. No regular train south this morning. No reliable information as to condition of affairs. You have probably later and more authentic information than I find here.

M. C. MEIGS,

Quartermaster-General.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

September 24, 1863-7 p.m.

General MEIGS,

Nashville:

Your telegram of to-day received. Please ascertain and report the capacity per diem of the railroad from Louisville to Nashville for transportation of troops, and do what you can to organize and augment it within the next five days to the utmost extent. Colonel Thomas A. Scott will be at Louisville for same purpose on Saturday afternoon. All well here.

EDWIN M. STANTON.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington, September 24, 1863-2.30 a.m.

Major-General ROSECRANS,

Chattanooga, Tenn.:

In addition to the expected assistance to you from Burnside, Hurlbut, and Sherman, 14,000 or 15,000 men from here will be in Nashville in about seven days. The Government deems it very important that Chattanooga be held till re-enforcements arrive.

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington, September 24, 1863-3.30 a.m.

Major C. A. DANA,

Chattanooga:

We have made arrangements to send 15,000 infantry, under General Hooker, from here and will have them in Nashville in five or six