HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Rutherford's Creek, December 21, 1864.

Mr. EICHOLTZ,
Superintendent of Railroad Repairs, Franklin, Tenn.:

SIR: The major-general commanidng was this morning surprised and disappointed to learn that the railroad bridge at Franklin is not yet finished. He says that you must finish it to-day, and have trains as far as Spring Hill this afternoon. The army is suffering for forage, which it was expected the railroad would bring before this.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant

WM. D. WHIPPLE,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

U. S. MILITARY RAILROADS, OFFICE OF ASSISTANT ENGINEER, Franklin, December 21, 1864.

Brigadier-General WHIPPLE,

Chief of Staff, &c.:

GENERAL: I regret to say it will be utterly impossible to finish the bridge to-day. We are making but slow progress, on account of the high water and the mass of wreck and iron in the stream which it is next to impossible to remove. Our ropes freeze and stiffen, and the men are scarcely able to hold themselves on the scaffolding on account of the ice. We cannot possibly cross the bridge before to-morrow noon, unless the water falls and weather moderates. We are doing all that can be done under the circumstances. I have sent for Colonel Wright.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

L. H. EICHOLTZ,

Division Engineer.

NASHVILLE, TENN., December 21, 1864-9 p. m.

Major THOMAS T. ECKERT:

General Thomas' headquarters are two miles north of Duck River to-night. Rebel army south of that stream. Our pontoon train wa not up at 5 p. m., but would be during the night. Rain or wet snow has fallen constantly since Saturday. No fighting to-day. River bank full and rising.

J. C. VAN DUZER,

Captain, U. S. Military Telegraph.

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH ARMY CORPS, Duck River, December 21, 1864-8 a. m.

Major-General THOMAS,
Commanding Army of the Cumberland:

GENERAL: I respectfully suggest that 15,00 pairs of shoes and 15,000 pairs of socks be brought up, as soon as possible, ot the nearest point on the railroad, and then forwarded by wagon train. The men are not barefooted,b ut traveling on the pike in the wet will, in a very few days, ruing their shoes and disable many of our men.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

TH. J. WOOD,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.