has passed Echols, and there is nothing between him and the railroad.

By order, &c.:

WM. B. MYERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Quartermaster at Bristol forward this dispatch with all haste to General Ransom.

WM. B. MYERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

DUBLIN,

December 15, 1863.

Major General R. RANSOM, Jr.,

Bristol:

When can Corse's brigade reach New River Bridge? If it cannot get there to-morrow morning early, I will order the Forty-fifth [Virginia] Regiment from Saltville.

By order, &c.:

WM. B. MYERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

DUBLIN,

December 15, 1863.

Colonel GEORGE P. TERRILL,

Commanding Home Guards, Salem, Va.:

Averell, with force reported 3,000 strong, is advancing on railroad from Sweet Springs. You will immediately move your command to Salem.

By order, &c.:

WM. B. MYERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF WESTERN VA. AND EAST TENN.,
Dublin, December 15, 1863.

Major J. M. WADE,

Christiansburg:

General Averell reported moving toward Sweet Springs. Collect your command at the rendezvous and hold it in readiness to move at a moment's warning. Report to these headquarters.

By order of Major General Sam. Jones:

WM. B. MYERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

(Copy of same sent to Colonel George P. Terrill, Salem; Major H. M. Bowyer, Bonsack's, Botetourt; Major G. A. Wingfield, Liberty, Bedford; Major Joseph F. Kent, Wytheville; Major James M. Sheffey, Marion; Major Joseph Graves, Newbern, Pulaski; General Nicholls, Lynchburg, Va.)