at Cane Creek; a battalion at Tuscumbia; a platoon at Town Creek Bridge; a battalion at Courtland; a platoon at the trestle near Mallory Creek, and one company at Decatur.

Two deserters of Breckinridge arrived to-day confirm the statement heretofore told of their destitution, and that a good many have deserted. They left Breckinridge at Jackson on his way to Vicksburg.

GEO. H. THOMAS,

Major-General, U. S. Volunteers.

HEADQUARTERS,
Huntsville, July 16, 1862.

J. B. ANDERSON, Nashville:

I suppose General Nelson will reach Nashville to-night and proceed to Murfreesborough to-morrow. Put your party on the road the moment the troops get there and let us try again.

D. C. BUELL.

HEADQUARTERS,
Huntsville, July 16, 1862.

Colonel CHAPIN, Larkinsville:

See that every bridge on your line is stockaded without a moment's delay. What bridges are without it?

D. C. BUELL.

HEADQUARTERS,
Huntsville, July 16, 1862.

General MANSON, Athens:

See that troops are supplied to work on the bridges between Athens and Reynolds' Station. It is of vital importance. The detail must be made by regiments, not by detachments.

D. C. BUELL.

HEADQUARTERS,
Huntsville, July 16, 1862.

General NEGLEY, Columbia:

Have stockades been put up at all the bridges? If not, see that it is done immediately? It is of vital importance.

[D. C. BUELL.]

HEADQUARTERS,
Huntsville, July 16, 1862.

Captain WADE, Decatur:

I understand that you have command in the town with no preparation for defense. If that is the case you may expect to be surprised, captured, and disgraced as other officers have been from similar neglect.

It is my order that you forthwith fortify your position. If possible you will select a position which will command the depot and landing out of range of objects which would afford shelter for an enemy, and

11 R R-VOL XVI, PT II