Field return of the effective strength of the Army of Tennessee, December 7, 1863.

Command Effective Total present Aggregate

total present

Hardee's corps: 3,425 4,603 5,083

Cheatham's

Cleburne's 4,905 6,297 6,778

Stevenson's 5,018 6,299 6,832

Walker's 3,155 4,335 4,659

Total 16,503 21,534 23,352

Breckinridge's corps: 4,603 5,717 6,282

Hindman's

Breckinridge's 3,126 4,199 4,760

Stewart's 3,867 4,790 5,257

Total 11,596 14,706 16,299

Artillery. Hardee's 362 399 410

corps: Cheatham's

Cleburne's 288 344 357

Stevenson's 277 312 331

Walker's 208 233 240

Total 1,135 1,288 1,338

Breckinridge's corps: 310 359 374

Hindman's

Breckinridge's 353 433 453

Stewart's 313 364 374

Total 976 1,156 1,205

Reserve artillery 313 361 374

HEADQUARTERS, Snake Creek, December 8, 1863.

Colonel GAFLT:

SIR: On yesterday our pickets brought news that the enemy were moving up Lookout Mountain Valley. To-day Major Fuller sends in a courier that his pickets returned from the cove; that the enemy was on the mountain at Cooper's Gap, 15 miles this side of Chattanooga, in force. That gap comes down into the cove, I think, where they came over before. I think there ought to be some artillery in this gap, for this is the direct route for them, if they were endeavoring to get to the State road. They could come through here and strike for any point on the road below Resaca.

Yours,
B. W. JONES,

Lieutenant Colonel, Comdg. First Regiment, Georgia State Guard.

NEAR BEAN'S STATION,

Via Rogersville Junction, December 8, 1863.

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General:

The effort to get Knoxville was abandoned at present, because of re-enforcements said to be marching to its succor, and because my communication was cut, and no means of escape, in case of trouble, was left me but an eccentric retreat. My ammunition was getting to be scarce, with no prospect of replacing it, and all supplies except subsistence and forage were cut off from us. My idea in taking position