in your rear to watch the movements of the enemy and you will retire with the infantry to Duck River bridge, on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, the cavalry to follow in your rear.

By command of Major-General Milroy:

JNO. O. CRAVENS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

N. B. - Keep the country west of you well and thoroughly scouted, so that you may not be surprised or too closely pursued.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Nashville, November 26, 1864.

Colonel C. R. THOMPSON, Johnsonville:

Have you heard anything more of General Meredith being on Big Sandy?

GEO. H. THOMAS,

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

JOHNSONVILLE, November 26, 1864.

Major General G. H. THOMAS:

Have heard nothing definite about Meredith. Other citizens report a Federal force near Big Sandy. Two women reported having seen some of Lyon's men at Huntingdon who stated they had been whipped by a large Yankee force.

C. R. THOMPSON,

Colonel, Commanding.

CHATTANOOGA, November 26, 1864.

Major-General THOMAS:

I have my command ready. Shall I hold trains to move it if ordered?

J. B. STEEDMAN,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Nashville, November 26, 1864-10 p.m.

Major-General STEEDMAN:

I will telegraph you when to hold trains. It is only necessary at this time to have the troops ready.

GEO. H. THOMAS,

Major-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Chattanooga, Tenn., November 26, 1864.

Major General J. B. STEEDMAN,

Commanding District of the Etowah:

GENERAL: The refugees coming into the lines at Dalton report a most deplorable state of affairs in the country about there. The rebels are killing all those suspected of Unionism, and the cavalry are overrunning the country with headquarters at Worley's, in Cherokee County.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

SOUTHARD HOFFMAN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.