LOUISVILLE, August 21, 1862.

General SMITH,

Crab Orchard:

Send a messenger to olonel Metcalfe andorder him tojoin you. General Wallace will move in direction of Crab ORchard as soona s practicable. I thik there must be mistake as to strength of enemy this side of gap. You will remainuntil metcalfe joins you and watch the movements of the enemy.

J. T. BOYLE,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

[16.]

LOUISVILLE, August 22, 1862 - 2 a. m.

Major- General WALLACE,

Lexington;

I do not think the information reliable; it is gretly exaggerated. I have no doubt about this. Will send you one or two regiments to - morrow (must mean to- day, 22d,- Operator). The home gaurds are almost useless- an incumbrance. If Governor Tod sends troops yuou will have ample force. I do not know enough of the locality, but think it likely desirable to send a force to Big Hill and hold. I do not believe there are 5,000 rebel troops this [side] the gap; probably not half that number.

J. T. BOYLE,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

[16.]

FRANKFORT, August 23, 1862.

General LEW. WALLACE,

Lexington;

Two battalions of Ninth Kentucjky Cavalry, just organized, each full mounted and armed, are on the way to Lexington. Will reach here in an hour, en route. The third battalion, 400 armed, but not mounted, will arrive on train during the day. The have equipmets, but no horses. Goins has no men. There are two cannon here, but no one to handle them; no harness.

J. W. FINNELL.

[16.]

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADUQATERS ARMY of the OHIO, Numbers 140.
Decherd, August 23, 1862.

* * * *

III. Brigadier General W. S. Smith is assigned to the command of post at Decherd, and will take command of all troops at that place.

By command of Major-General Buell:

J. M. WRIGHT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

[16.]

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO, Numbers 1.
Louisville, Ky., August 24, 1862.

I. Major General William Nelson, having been assigned to duty intie departmetn, will proceed to Lexingtona ndassume command of the troops in that vicinity and at Lebnonand its vicinity.