HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF THE ETOWAH,
Chattanooga, November 28, 1864.

Major-General MILROY,

Tullahoma:

I am ready to move, and a m awaiting orders. Keep me posted.

JAMES B. STEEDMAN,

Major-General.

TULLAHOMA, November 28, 1864 - 1.45 p. m.

Major-General STEEDMAN:

Two hundred rebel cavalry three miles from Wartrace this a.m. were attacked and driven in the direction of Bell Buckle. Heavy firing reported in the direction of Shellbyville. A considerable rebel force reported near la Vargne. It looks like they were going to smash this road.

R. H. MILROY,

Major-General.

MURFREESBOROUGH, November 28, 1864 - 3.30 p-. m.

Brigadier-General WHIPPLE,

Chief of Staff:

General Van Cleve received from General Milroy, at 2.30 p. m. to-day, the following dispatch, viz:

TULLAHOMA, November 28, 1864.

Brigadier General H. P. VAN CLEVE:

Rebel cavalry (about eighty) attacked our garrison at Shelbyville, form north side, this morning and were repulsed. Major Worthma had skirmished with 200 rebel cavalry three miles from Wartrace this a. m.; he drove them toward Bell Buckle, and is still giving pursuit. No other force north of Duck River that we know of.

JNO. O. CRAVENS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

LOVELL H. ROUSSEAU,

Major-General.

NASHVILLE, November 28, 1864.

Major-General ROUSSEAU,

Murfreesborough:

Shelbyville should not be abandoned until it is certain the enemy is moving on the place. General Wilson has a force south of Duck River, and will give notice of the approach of the enemy. Should it become necessary to abandon Shelbyville, the bridge across Duck River must be burned.

GEO. H. THOMAS,

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

MURFREESBOROUGH, TENN., November 28, 1864.

Brigadier-General WHIPPLE:

I saw two men from Shelbyville a few minutes ago; they left there at 12 to-day; they say twenty-five to forty rebels attacked the town