McGhee road, which runs through Maryville and Sevierville. You will at once send out scouts and take such other means of ascertaining the movements of the enemy as may be in your power. Should the report prove true you will on the approach of the enemy fall back on this place, not precipitately but in good order, and learn if possible the number of the force, by whom commanded, and the point to which they are moving.

By command of Brigadier-General Tillson:

W. W. DEANE,

Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.

LOUDON, August 17, 1864.

Captain W. P. AMMEN,

Assistant Adjutant-general:

All telegraphic communication is cut off west of this place. I shall rely on my scouts for information, as I have them out on all roads.

M. L. PATTERSON,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.

LOUDON, August 17, 1864.

Captain W. P. AMMEN,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

Lieutenant Marshman, who has been commanding at Athens, says, from Charleston, that Wheeler is at Athens with 5,000 men, six pieces artillery. Colonel Ewing, at Charleston, says his scouts report rebels crossing Hiwassee at Columbus yesterday from noon till midnight in direction of Athens.

M. L. PATTERSON,

Lieutenant-Colonel.

LOUDON, TENN., August 17, 1864.

Brigadier-General AMMEN:

The following just received:

Wheeler reported near Athens. Can you fully protect the bridge against 2,000 or 3,000 men with light artillery?

J. B. STEEDMAN,

Major-General.

A 20-pounder Parrott gun would be of great advantage in case I am attacked by 2,000 or 3,000 men.

M. L. PATTERSON,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.

LOUDON, August 17, 1864.

Captain W. P. AMMEN,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

Just arrived here. Colonel Byrd and his regiment, with the regular train that left this morning, met the rebels about a mile this side of Athens. Colonel Byrd deployed two companies of skirmishers, and drove them into and out of town; they were about sixty in number, and