NASHVILLE, December 14, 1864-8 p. m.

Lieutenant J. L. HOLLOPETER,

Actg. Chief Signal Officer, Dept. of the Cumberland, Chattanooga:

There is no way by which you can get a signal party to Murfreesborough at present.

ROBT. H. RAMSEY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

NASHVILLE, December 14, 1864-10.20 p. m.

General THOMAS:

The train which left Gallatin for north at 8 this evening has returned to that place, and reports Lyon's men at the tunnel destroying the railroad, having driven our guard away. The telegraph line stopped working north of Gallatin at about 5 this p. m.

J. C. VAN DUZER.

[Indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Nashville, December 14, 1864-11 p. m.

Respectfully referred to Major General J. H. Wilson, commanding Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi, with direction to instruct the officer in command of the cavalry detachment at and near Gallatin to collect as many of his men together as possible and ascertain the truth of the within report and all the facts in the case.

By command of Major-General Thomas:

ROBT. H. RAMSEY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

NASHVILLE, December 14, 1864-11 p. m.

General THOMAS:

The line between Clarksville and Bowling Green is also cut which severs connection with Louisville entirely for to-day. I will endeavor to have the Clarksville route re-established in the morning. Nothing further from tunnel.

J. C. VAN DUZER.

SPECIAL FIELD, HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE CUMBERLAND,

ORDERS, Numbers 342.
Nashville, Tenn., December 14, 1864.

As soon as the weather will admit of offensive operations the troops will move against the enemy's position in the following order:

First. Major General A. J. Smith, commanding Detachment of the Army of the Tennessee, after forming his troops on and near the Hardin pike, in front of his present position, will make a vigorous assault on the enemy's left.

Second. Bvt. Major General J. H. Wilson, commanding the Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi, with three divisions, will move on and support General Smith's right, assist as far as possible in carrying the left of the enemy's position, and be in readiness to throw his force