RICHMOND, VA., December 17, 1864.

General R. E. COLSTON,

Lynchburg, Va.:

I have no forces at command to send up. General Lee has been fully informed, and will, doubters adopt such measures of defense as circumstances allow.

J. A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War.

MARION, VA., December 17, 1864 - daybreak.

Major-General BRECKINRIDGE:

The enemy left here two hours ago; my advance was upon their heels, but I had to stop to feed and await orders. If you had been here you could have made a good thing of it. The enemy's horses are worn out and men very tired. Men and officers say they are going to Lynchburg and are evacuating East Tennessee. My impression is that they will go through the Narrows. Their advance occupied Wytheville last night and represented that they had Vaughn stampeded and surrounded.

V. A. WITCHER,

Colonel, Commanding Brigade.

P. S. - I will pursue the enemy as rapidly as possible and will attack as soon as I come up.

Abstract from tri-monthly field return of Lomax's cavalry division, December 19, 1864.

Present for duty.

Command. Officers Men. Aggregate

present.

General staff 5 ... 5

Imboden's brigade 70 497 636

McCausland's brigade 71 730 932

Jackson's brigade 93 781 1,042

Total 239 2,008 2,615

Horses.

Command. Aggregate Serviceab Unservice

present le able.

and

absent

General staff 5 ... ...

Imboden's brigade 2,469 27 ...

McCausland's brigade 3,038 797 48

Jackson's brigade 3,360 817 98

Total 9,052 1,641 146

WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A.,

Richmond, Va., December 22, 1864.

General R. E. LEE,

Petersburg, Va.:

Doctor Morris reports, as received from his operator at Gordonsville, lasted 12 o'clock, that the enemy were at Jack's shop, slowly advancing.

J. A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War.