GALLATIN, December 16, 1862

Major-General ROSECRANS:

Mrs. Bowen, wife of the commissioner, just from Gordonsville this morning, reports passing through 115 of Morgan's men, crossing at Carthage, going toward Alexandria. The rebel General Kirby Smith, with his division, was reported by William Kelly as being at Readyville Sunday evening, marching toward Lebanon. Breckinridge marching on Columbia pike, toward Nashville, one other division, commanding officer not known, marching with him. Morgan preparing to invade Kentucky, by way of Burkersville. All the above is the report of Mrs. Bowen.

GEO. H. THOMAS,

Major-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington, December 17, 1862

Major-General ROSECRANS,

Nashville, Tenn.:

The Navy Department has been requested to co-operate with gunboats as early as possible.*

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

NASHVILLE, TENN. December 17, 1862

Commodore DAVID D. PORTER, Cairo, Ill.:

Major-General Halleck telegraphs he has requested the Navy Department to have the gunboats co-operate with this army. What is the lightest draught boat you have?

Yours, respectfully,

W. S. ROSECRANS,

HEADQUARTERS FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Nashville, December 17, 1862

Brigadier General J. T. BOYLE, Louisville:

We have advices from Hartsville and up the river, and no cavalry said to be nearer than the gap. It is only small guerrilla parties hovering round Cave City. They can be destroyed or driven away by combined movement from Columbia, Bowling Green, and Munfordville. Sufficient guards of convalescents should hereafter accompany trains up and down, armed, with three days' rations. Please arrange this.

By order of Major-General Rosecrans:

J. P. GARESCHE,

Assistant Adjutant-General and Chief of Staff.

---------------

*See Series I, Vol. XVII, Part II, p. 422.

---------------