BETHEL, TENN., December 15, 1862.

General SULLIVAN:

I have just received the following letter from Captain Carter, First West Tennessee cavalry, who is near Clifton:

Colonel HAYNIE: I inform you from a source believed to be reliable that a force is to cross the river at Clifton, supposed to be Forrest's cavalry, said to be 3,000 strong.

The above was brought to me by Mr. Craven, of Craven's Landing,

who left home at 2 o'clock this a. m. I am under orders to report to General Grant immediately. I will turn over this command to Colonel Morrison this morning.

I. N. HAYNIE,

Brigadier-General, Commanding Post.

JACKSON, December 15, 1862 - 6.30 p. m.

Major-General GRANT:

Forrest is crossing Tennessee at Clifton. A large force of cavalry is crossing above. Bragg's army is reported by scouts to be moving this way, through Waynesborough. It has been raining hard all day.

JER. C. SULLIVAN,

Brigadier-General.

COLUMBUS, December 15, 1862.

Brigadier-General SULLIVAN:

At what point on the Tennessee River are the rebels crossing? I will try to push forward the regiment here to-night. If not, they will leave in the morning.

THOS. A. DAVIES,

Brigadier-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. OF THE ARMY, ADJT. General 'S OFFICE,

Numbers 394.
Washington, December 15, 1862.

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III. Brigadier General W. K. Strong, U. S. Volunteers, is relieved from duty in New York and will report to Major General U. S. GRANT, U. S. Volunteers, for duty with his command.

* * * * * * *

By command of Major-General Halleck:

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPRINGFIELD, ILL., December 16, 1862.

Major General H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief:

Having substantially accomplished the purpose of the order sending me to the States of Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa, by forwarding upward of 40,000 troops, as more particularly explained in my letter of the 1st instant to the Secretary of War and refereed by him to you, I beg to be sent forward, in accordance with the order of the Secretary of War of the 21st of October giving me command of te Mississippi expedition.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN A. McCLERNAND,

Major-General.