several days. The aide who probably penned your dispatch of 30th communicated an order instead of a request. Please accept my sincere congratulations on your succeed at Franklin, and when practicable and convenient inform me of the military situation.

S. P. LEE,

Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron.

NASHVILLE, TENN., December 2, 1864-8.30 p. m.

Major T. T. ECKERT:

Enemy shows more force on right of our position; seems massing out of reach of guns of forts, on level, open fields, directly west from State House, which is the weakest part of our line. Spies report large force twenty miles down the river, toward Harpeth Shoals, and say rebels propose to cross the Cumberland there as soon as it can be forded or is too low for gun-boats, which will be soon, unless rain falls. General Wood took command of Fourth Cops to-day, in the absence of General Stanley.

J. C. VAN DUZER.

CHATTANOOGA, TENN., December 2, 1864.

Major-General THOMAS:

Colonel Palmer, Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, desires me to telegraph you the following, viz:

I did not get General Steedman's order to return from Bridgeport to Wauhatchie until reaching here [Cowan]. That I have over 500 cavalry, and wish to know what I shall do under the altered circumstances.

SOUTHARD HOFFMAN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

CARLINVILLE, ILL., December 2, 1864.

Major General G. H. THOMAS:

Can I be of any service to you? If so, I will report to you at once.

JNO. M. PALMER,

Major-General.

NASHVILLE, December 2, 1864.

Major General JOHN M. PALMER,

Carlinville, Ill.:

Your dispatch of this day is received. Much obliged for your kind tender of services, but I have no suitable command to assign you to.

GEO. H. THOMAS,

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

COWAN, December 2, 1864.

Major HOFFMAN:

I am here entirely in the dark. Please send me the latest you know from Nashville; it might enable me to do something on the flanks.

WM. J. PALMER,

Colonel Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.