[First indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Nashville, November 16, 1864.

Respectfully referred to Major-General Thomas, with request that he will intimate the nature of the reply he desires made.

By order of Major-General Sherman:

J. D. WEBSTER,

Brigadier-General.

[Second indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Nashville, November 16, 1864.

Respectfully returned to Brigadier-General Webster, chief of staff, with remark that he will telegraph Colonel Clark to order all detachments and men belonging to the Army of the Tennessee who report to him at Louisville to report to Major-General Steedman, at Chattanooga, for duty.

By command of Major-General Thomas:

ROBERT H. RAMSEY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

NASHVILLE, TENN., November 16, 1864-11 p. m.

(Received 12.15 a. m. 17th.)

Major THOMAS T. ECKERT,

Washington, D. C.:

Nothing to report to-night, except that small bodies of enemy's infantry have been thrown forward, a brigade being at Waynesborough. Rivers falling as fast as they rose. Railroad and telegraph all right to Knoxville and Dalton.

J. C. VAN DUZER.

NASHVILLE, November 16, 1864-10 a. m.

Major-General SCHOFIELD,

Pulaski:

Your dispatch of yesterday just received. Send me the first reliable news you have from Hatch. Smith telegraphed me two days ago that his troops had been delayed by bad roads and impassable steams, but that he would make all possible speed. I cannot say when he will be here.

GEO. H. THOMAS,

Major-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.

PULASKI, TENN., November 16, 1864.

Major-General THOMAS,

Nashville:

Your dispatch of 10 a. m. just received. My latest news from Hatch was that of 2 p. m. of yesterday, which was sent you this morning, viz: that the enemy's movements of the day before was only a reconnais-