SALT SULPHUR SPRINGS,

December 22, 1863.

Brigadier General JOHN ECHOLS,

Commanding, &c.:

GENERAL: The following has just been received from Major Myers:

Major-General JONES:

Following dispatch just received from operator at Salem, dated to-day:

"A courier just arrived says enemy was at New Castle about dark this evening."

WM. B. MYERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

In view of the above you will not move your command from near Sweet Springs until you can find out positively as to whether the report is correct or not, or if your command has moved, send back a sufficient force to prevent the enemy, if he be at New Castle, from making his escape over Sweet Springs Mountain. It is suggested that the force referred to is a part or the whole of the Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Respectfully, &c.,

SAM. JONES,

Major-General.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF WESTERN VA. AND EAST TENN.,
Dublin, December 23, 1863.

Brigadier General JOHN ECHOLS,

Commanding, &c., Monroe, via Union:

It is unnecessary to move your command to Sweet Springs. Give us the latest information of the enemy's movements, where Averey went to after leaving White Sulphur.

By order, &c.:

WM. B. MYERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

DUBLIN, December 23, 1863.

Colonel W. H. BROWNE, New River Bridge:

The general directs that you impress a train, and move your command at once to Salem. A body of the enemy is reported approaching from New Castle, to Heavenly Gap, near Salem. Return your train to be enabled to move either way, as necessity demands.

By order, &c.:

WM. B. MYERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF WESTERN VA. AND EAST TENN.,
December 24, 1863.

Colonel W. H. BROWNE,

Commanding Forty-fifth Virginia Regiment, Salem, Va.:

The general directs that you call on the home guards and mounted men, to assist you in hunting the enemy. Report progress to these headquarters.

JAMES L. FRASER,

Aide-de-Camp.