CHATTANOOGA, November 18, 1864.

Major General G. H. THOMAS:

No news from Knoxville since General Ammen's dispatch of this p. m. forwarded to you. Re-enforcements sent from here have all reached Knoxville.

JAMES B. STEEDMAN,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO,
Louisville, Ky., November 18, 1864.

Brigadier General J. AMMEN,

Commanding, Knoxville, Tenn.:

Your telegram received.* Re-enforcements are on the way to you from Chattanooga, and every available mounted man has been ordered to push by by forced marches to Cumberland Gap and open up communication with Knoxville. Use every means in your power to check the progress of the enemy until you are strong enough to take the offensive.

GEO. STONEMAN,

Major-General, Commanding.

CUMBERLAND GAP, November 18, 1864.

Brigadier-General AMMEN:

The enemy are reported in force at Blain's Cross-Roads. What news have you?

W. Y. DILLARD,

Colonel, Commanding.

KNOXVILLE, November 18, 1864.

Colonel DILLARD,

Cumberland Gap;

There many be some there; but most of them have gone to the other side of the river. Our forces most successfully resisted their attack on Strawberry Plains yesterday.

J. AMMEN,

Brigadier-General of Volunteers.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO,
Louisville, Ky., November 18, 1864.

Colonel DILLARD,

Commanding, Cumberland Gap:

All the available force in Eastern Kentucky has been ordered to concentrate at Cumberland Gap. Should you be attacked, you must maintain yourself at all hazards until these troops arrive.

By command of Major-General Stoneman:

G. M. BASCOM,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.

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*Of 17th, p. 934.

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