COLESBURG, December 24, 1864.

Brigadier General HUGH EWING,

Louisville, Ky.:

Just arrived here with 200 men. Will go into Forts Sands and Boyle and send out to watch his movements. General Lyon's headquarters are a mile north of Elizabethtown. Force estimated at 2,500 to 3,000; four to six pieces artillery. Know nothing of his movements, but will keep up advised.

HERBERT.

LOUISVILLE, KY., December 24, 1864.

Captain HERRERT,

Muldraugh's Hill:

Re-enforcements on the way; protect the trestle to your last squad. If necessary to do so, sally out.

HUGH EWING,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION, MILITARY DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY, Dowling Green, December 24, 1864.

Captain E. B. HARLAN,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Division, Louisville, Ky.:

CAPTAIN: Four men of the Fifty-second Kentucky Mounted Infantry came in last night from Hartford, Ky., and say they were captured with the small garrison (some forty men) at that place on Tuesday evening and paroled by General Lyon. They state that Lyon's forces left, going in the direction of Litchfield. They heard them say that they expected to form a junction with Forrest at or about Elizabethtown. They thought they must be ignorant of the condition of Hood and his army and was not aware of his defeat. I am of the opinion they are working out an old programme to strike the railroad about Elizabethtwon, still expecting Forrest to join him in that neighborhood, not being fully aware of matters as they are.

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

DANL. J. DILL,

Colonel, Commanding Brigade.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Columbia, December 24, 1864-8 a. m. (Received 6 p .m.)

Major General N . J. T. DANA,
Memphis, Tenn.:

Your telegram of the 21st instant is received. As soon as your expedition shall have completed the work assigned you, I shall be much obliged if you will return to Nashville the troops belonging to the Military Division of the Mississippi now serving with you.

GEO. H. THOMAS,

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