into West Tennessee, and operate in that direction in such manner as he may deem advisable.

VI. Colonel Russell will report with his command to Maj. General S. D. Lee, commanding, &c., for duty.

* * * * * *

[By command of Lieutenant-General Polk:

T. B. LAMAR,

Assistant Adjutant-General.]

HDQRS. DEPT. WESTERN VIRGINIA AND EAST TENNESSEE, Dublin, December 24, 1863.

Maj. Gen. R. RANSOM, Jr.,
Commanding,&c., Camp near Rogersville:

GENERAL: Your letters of the 17th and 20th to Major Stringfellow have been received. Lieutenant-General Longstreet telegraphed me on the 17th that he was commanding you and your troops under authority, as he conceived, of the President. That being the case, of course I can give you no orders. I regret it very much as I have need of your command. I will know in a few days the President's wish and will communicate with you.

I returned night before that from the front, where I expected to meet the enemy. The portion of the enemy's force that came to Greenbrier did not come this side of the river. Averell slipped in by way of Callaghan's and struck the railroad at Salem, doing considerable in haste, and I believe suffered severely in killed, wounded, and captured. The full extent of his loss I have not ascertained.

Very respectfully,&c.,

SAM. JONES,

Major-General.

Abstract from return of the Cavalry in Mississippi, Maj. Gen. Stephen D. Lee, C. S. Army, commanding, for the period ending December 24, 1863; headquarters Grenada, Miss.

Present for duty.

Command. Officers. Men. Effective Aggregate

total present.

present.

Jackson's division. 316 3,893 3,889 5,259

Chalmer's division. 204 2,180 2,180 2,779

Ferguson's brigade. 118 1,537 1,527 1,844

Escort company. 3 75 75 88

Total. 641 7,685 7,681 16,628

Pieces of artillery.

Command. Aggregate present Heavy. Field.

and absent.

Jackson's division. 8,558 7 138

Chalmer's division. 4,569 3 727

Ferguson's brigade. 1,844 3 390

Escort company. 88 --- 113

Total. 9,970 13 1,368