sions to transport your infantry rapidly or for other contingencies. The army will feel that its communications are safe with your energy and judicious management, my confidence in which has induced me to intrust to you this all-important duty. You should be at Murfreesborough at once. The cavalry now subject to your orders consists of Wynkoop's, Bayles', McCook's, Board's, and Haggard's regiments, excepting one battalion with the Fourth Division.

D. C. BUELL.

HEADQUARTERS, Huntsville, August 18, [1862.]

Major W. E. LAWRENCE,
Commanding Artillery Reserve, Stevenson:

You will proceed to Nashville and take command of the batteries at that place.

J. M. WRIGHT,

Assistant Adjutant-General and Aide-de-Camp.

HEADQUARTERS, Huntsville, August 18, 1862.

Colonel MILLER, Nashville:

I have ordered two more regiments and a battery to Nashville. As soon as they arrive, if you are not threatened by the enemy, send a sufficient force to protect the working parties on the railroad, but they must be ready at all times to return at a moment's notice if the city should be in danger.

D. C. BUELL.

HUNTSVILLE, August 18, 1862.

Major SIDELL:

Has General Nelson gone on? Is there any communication with Louisville? Is there any enemy on the road?

D. C. BUELL,
Major-General, Commanding.

NASHVILLE, August 18, 1862.

Major General D. C. BUELL, Huntsville, Ala.:

General Nelson is now here, having come last night, and got your dispatch sent in cipher yesterday.

There is no communication with Louisville by rail. The damages on direct line are not repaired, and on the other line by Springfield the Red River Bridge is again destroyed. No train in since Friday. Nothing about enemy on road beyond what was sent you yesterday, which I repeat.

Morgan, Starnes, and Forrest reported to have made junction, 8,000 strong, and crossed Cumberland River from near Gallatin southerly toward Lebanon, their men proclaiming Nashville as ultimate destina-