WEST POINT, February 18, 1864.

Brigadier-General RUGGLES:

My scout reports certain the Yankees passed through Okolona to-day about 11 a. m., taking the road leading to Aberdeen. From best information they are 2,000 strong. Will you let me meet them?

I. HARRISON,

Colonel.

WEST POINT, February 18, 1864.

Brigadier-General RUGGLES:

From report enemy in Aberdeen . I move at once.

I. HARRISON,

Colonel.

HEADQUARTERS,
Demopolis, Ala., February 18, 1864.

Captain GEORGE W. BATES,

Commanding Post, Gainesville:

CAPTAIN: Your dispatch of yesterday to General Polk is received. Your are directed not to burn the cotton. You will have the sugar and molasses shipped first, then the flour and bacon, and then the sack corn. Report at once accurately the kind and quantity of stores at Gainesville. Let a line of couriers be established from the Junction down toward Lauderdale. Select good men and instruct them to use proper precautions against capture.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

THOS. M. JACK,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

DALTON, February 19, 1864.

His Excellency the PRESIDENT,

Richmond:

General Polk reports the enemy yesterday still at Meridian breaking railroad. General Maury reports the party at Quitman (about 1,000) burning Government property, including corn and cotton and railroad. Returned to Enterprise at sunset.

J. E. JOHNSTON.

DEMOPOLIS, February 19, 1864.

Honorable J. A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War, Richmond:

Your dispatch in cipher of 17th received. Cipher unintelligible. Has the key-word been changed? The last received at these headquarters began with "our." Please repeat. If key-word in changed please send it.

L. POLK,

Lieutenant-General.