DEMOPOLIS, February 20, 1864.

Major-General MAURY,

Mobile:

Order eight or ten steam-boats up the Alabama River to transport troops from Montgomery to Selma.

L. POLK,

Lieutenant-General.

MOBILE, February 20, 1864.

Lieutenant-General POLK:

The mortar fleet increased this morning off Fort Powell. There are now ten mortar-boats and two gun-boats off that place. Firing not yet opened.

DABNEY H. MAURY,

Major-General, Commanding.

MOBILE, February 20, 1864.

Lieutenant-General POLK:

Following just received from General Cantey, at Bucatunna, 2.30 p. m.:

Scouts from Enterprise report the enemy leaving Enterprise, falling back toward Meridian. Major Ketchum gone up to establish telegraph at Quitman; Enterprise if practicable.

D. H. MAURY,

Major-General.

MOBILE, February 20, 1864.

General POLK:

Intelligence been received that the whole force of the enemy left Enterprise yesterday morning moving in the direction of Meridian. All reports of columns moving east or west from Enterprise are untrue. An intelligent citizen of that place, held in custody by the enemy during their stay, expresses the opinion that the entire force will move back toward Vicksburg. Reported that General Lee was fighting them day before yesterday at Alamutche Old Town.

D. H. MAURY,

Major-General.

DEMOPOLIS, February 20, 1864.

His Excellency Governor WATTS,

Montgomery, Ala.:

The emergency seems to require the use of the military forces of the State of Alabama in support of that of the Confederacy in resisting the movements which now threaten your State. May I ask you to place such force under arms immediately and hold in subject to my call. I suggest its concentration at points in easy communication with a line from Meridian to Selma.

L. POLK,

Lieutenant-General.