STRAWBERRY PLAINS, TENN,

December 16, 1863.

Brigadier-General SPEARS:

GENERAL: General Wagner arrived here last night with his brigade; now leaving to go to Blain's Cross-Roads. General Sheridan arrived this morning with another brigade. He says he is ordered to take charge or command of all the forces about here. I do not know what he is going to do. Palmer and the forces at Mossy Creek started for this point at 2.30 this morning, so he telegraphed. He expresses no alarm now.

Yours, truly,

D. C. TREWHITT,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, FOURTH ARMY CORPS,
Strawberry Plains, December 16, 1863.

Major-General FOSTER:

General Spears is at Blain's Cross-Roads, also Colonel Mott. Colonel Wagner, of my division, left here this morning for the same point. Colonel Harker will move out in a few minutes. There is no news here this morning. Colonel Palmer has been ordered here from Mossy Creek.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

P. H. SHERIDAN,

Major-General.

HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, FOURTH ARMY CORPS,
Strawbery Plains, December 16, 1863.

[General JOHN G. PARKE:]

GENERAL: I arrived here this morning with two brigades, and am now moving out to join you at Blain's Cross Roads. General Hazen is marching direct from Knoxville, and will also reach you to-day. Write to me all the news and your own impressions from your best is a mere cavalry demonstration. General Elliott will move up the French Broad this morning with his cavalry division, so that by to-morrow or next day that flank will be well covered.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

P. H. SHERIDAN,

Major-General.

TAZEWELL, December 16, 1863-5.40 p.m.

Major General JOHN G. PARKE:

GENERAL: Your dispatch of 6.45 p. m. yesterday received at 3 p.m. to-day. I sent you a dispatch this morning, inclosing others, both to you and General Foster, which were written night before last, but the first courier failed to get through. I hope you will receive those sent to-day. I have answered General Foster affirma-