WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S.,

Richmond, November 7, 1863.

General R. E. LEE,

Culpeper Court-House, Va..

GENERAL: A telegram just received from General Jones says:

General Echols has been defeated with heavy loss, and is endeavoring to retreat by Salt Pond Mountain. Enemy advancing, about 7,000 strong.

General Jones asks aid, if it can be given. I have no force to send, as General Pickett, under information of raid toward Weldon, has just moved thither with his disposable force. Can you render aid?

J. A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War.

BRANDY STATION,

November 7, 1863.

Honorable JAMES A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War:

Your telegram received. Imboden's command was to have reached Millborough by noon yesterday. He said he would push on. I hope he has formed junction with other forces in that quarter. Enemy commenced a demonstration in our front about noon to-day. Cannot detach any force from here now.

R. E. LEE,

General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF WESTERN VIRGINIA,
Dublin, November 7, 1863.

Major General R. RANSOM, Jr.,

Commanding, &c.:

GENERAL: in consequence of the movements of the enemy on Greenbrier, I shall not be able to send to you at present the additonal infantry mentioned in the note from my aide (Lieutenant Warwick) to you night before last.

Make, therefore, no change whatever, in your plans for the move on Rogersville. I hope that move has not been interferd with by the rain of yesterday and last night. It was slight here. The enemy under Brigadier-General Averell, variously estimated at from 3,000 to 7,000 strong is, moving toward Lewisburg, skirmishing all yesterday in the lower end of Pocahontas. I will go up there.

SAM. JONES,

Major-General.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF WESTERN VA. AND EAST TENN.,
Dublin, November 7, 1863.

General R. E. LEE,

Brandy Station:

General Echols was badly defeated, with heavy loss, at Droop Mountain yesterday; is pursued by forces estimated at 7,000, mostly mounted. Echols will retreat by Salt Pond Mountain if he can, but I fear he cannot escape, and will be cut up and destroyed. If you