WASHINGTON, December 3, 1863-11.30 a. m.

Major-General GRANT,

Chattanooga, Tennessee:

The forces in West Virginia are not strong enough to cut off Longstreet's retreat. Orders were given General Meade some time ago to cut the railroad at Lynchburg, so as to separate Longstreet from Lee; but nothing has been done, and it does not appear that anything is likely to be done by the Army of the Potomac in this campaign.

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Numbers 537. Washington, December 3, 1863.

* * * * * * * * *

10. The Secretary of War directs that Major General J. J. Reynolds repair, with the least possible delay,a to New Orleans and assume command of the troops at that place and in the vinicity, reporting to Major-General Banks. Brigadier General C. P. Stone will be relieved from all command at New Orleans and directed to report in person to General Banks.

* * * * * * * * *

By order of Major-General Halleck:

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

TAZEWELL Tennessee, December 3, 1863-3 p. m.

(Received 8.35 p. m.)

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief:

Wheeler's cavalry were repulsed at the Clinch River, and have retired toward Knoxville. A Union citizen from over the mountains reports that a large force of infantry and cavalry, probably Ransom's forces, passed Bean's Station this morning going to Knoxville.

J. G. FOSTER,

Major-General.

(Same to General Grant.)

TAZEWELL, Tennessee, December 3, 1863-3 p. m.

(Received 7.30 p. m.)

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief:

Your dispatch is received.* I am at present completely held in check by Wheeler's and Jones' cavalry, which is stronger than my force, with which we were engaged all day yesterday, and by

ransom's division on the road near Bean's Station. I shall send a

* Of December 1.