HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Duck River, December 23, 1864.

Brigadier General J. L. DONALDSON,
Nashville:

You are authorized to withdraw a portion of the Fifteenth U. S. Colored Troops from Edgefield and Kentucky railroad, for duty in Nashville.

WM. D. WHIPPLE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Duck River, December 23, 1864.

Brigadier General J. L. DONALDSON,
Nashville:

Stop the steamers loaded for Eastport at Paducah, unless the gunboats have gone up the Tennessee, when they might as well go along; if stopped, orders will be sent regarding them hereafter, when it is definitely ascertained what is Hood's route.

WM. D. WHIPPLE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

NASHVILLE, December 23, 1864.

Brigadier-General WHIPPLE,

Chief of Staff, Department of the Cumberland:

Telegram received. The steamers for Eastport had orders not to go up the Tennessee River unless convoyed by gun-boats; had written arriving at Paducah. Will, however, telegraph to Paducah as you directed. Boats last ordered to Eastport with rations, medical supplies, forage, and ordnance stores are still here; were to leave to-night; will hold till further orders.

J. L. DONALDSON,

Chief Quartermaster.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Columbia, December 23, 1864-8 a.m .

Lieutenant J. L. HOLLOPETER,
Actg. Chief Signal Officer, Dept. of the Cumberland, Chattanooga:

Your telegram of yesterday is received., The major-general commanding directs me to say that you had better wait until you learn of the occupation of Huntsville or Athens before you move, so that you will run no risk.

ROBT. H. RAMSEY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS,
HDQRS. DETP. OF THE CUMBERLAND,

Numbers 348.
Duck River, Tenn., December 23, 1864.

I. Colonel W. B. Gaw, Sixteenth U. S. Colored Troops, will proceed with his regiment to Chattanooga, Tenn., and report to Colonel Carlton,