I regret not having received them sooner. As I write this your dispatch of 4.45 p. m. has just been handed me from telegraph office. Will inform Lieutenant-Commander Fitch as you request, and will send you a cipher operator if they have one here.

GEO. H. THOMAS,

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

CLARKSVILLE, December 8, 1864.

Major-General THOMAS:

I am in telegraph office to talk with you and settle on place. I will stay here most willingly, taking chance of wintering here, if you think best or even wish it.

S. P. LEE,

Acting Rear-Admiral.

NASHVILLE, December 8, 1864.

Acting Rear-Admiral S. P. LEE,

Commanding Mississippi Squadron, Clarksville, Tenn.:

General Thomas is out on the lines. General Whipple has taken your dispatches to him, and will answer you soon as possible - in an hour, at outside.

Very respectfully,

HENRY STONE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

NASHVILLE, December 8, 1864.

Acting Rear Admiral S. P. LEE,

Commanding Mississippi Squadron, Clarksville, Tenn.:

I have just come in, and will be happy to talk with you.

GEO. H. THOMAS,

Major-General, Commanding.

NASHVILLE, December 8, 1864.

Acting Rear-Admiral S. P. LEE,

Commanding Mississippi Squadron, Clarksville, Tenn.:

I was out on the lines when your dispatch came. I will be greatly obliged if you will remain until we get rid of the enemy, or until the river rises.

GEO. H. THOMAS,

Major-General, Commanding.

CLARKSVILLE, December 8, 1864 - 8.45 p. m.

Major-General THOMAS:

Your two telegrams of 5.30 and 7 p. m. just received. I a, informed here that this iron-clad cannot cross Davis' Ripple, which is fifteenth miles from here and considered the foot of Harpeth Shoals. My pilot says Cumberland River shoals gradually from Davis' Ripple, where there are now seven feet, rather less than we draw, to Harpeth River, and the