HDQRS. FOURTH DIVISION, SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Decatur, April 17, 1864.

Colonel SPRAGUE, Decatur Junction:

Return here immediately.

JAMES C. VEATCH,

Brigadier-General.

HDQRS. FOURTH DIVISION, SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Decatur, Ala., April 17, 1864-7.30 a.m.

Brigadier-General DODGE,

Commanding Left Wing, Sixteenth Army Corps, Athens:

All quiet during the night. The advance of the enemy was last night 5 1/2 miles out on the Moulton road. All the indications show that they are gathering their forces for an attack. No ammunition has yet arrived.

JAMES C. VEATCH,

Brigadier-General.

HDQRS. FOURTH DIVISION, SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Decatur, Ala., April 17, 1864-10 a.m.

Brigadier-General DODGE, Athens:

The pickets report the enemy advancing in line of battle on the Courtland road. Ammunition has arrived. I think it certain that Roddey is in the valley.

JAMES C. VEATCH,

Brigadier-General.

LEXINGTON, April 17, 1864.

Captain MILES, Mount Sterling:

There is no immediate danger at Mount Sterling, but of course you must look out for anything that may happen. A force of 25 men under a captain will be at Mount Sterling to-night.

J. S. BUTLER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

GILL'S MILLS, VIA MOUNT STERLING KY.,

April 17, 1864.

Brigadier-General HOBSON:

From best information the rebel force does not exceed 700 men; 600 reported to have been at Salyersville Wednesday night. A small detachment of Fourteenth Kentucky were in Salyersville Tuesday. Scouts have just returned from direction of West Liberty and Salyersville; report no rebels this side either place. I shall be in Salyersville to-morrow by 4 p.m. if possible, and will endeavor to ascertain facts. It is impossible to get any reliable information here. The roads are very bad; horses stand it very well. The rebels are a part of Hodge's brigade, and are commanded by Zeke Clay. This is the only rebel force I can hear of in any direction.

C. J. TRUE,

Colonel.