MURFREESBOROUGH, TENN., January 24, 1863.

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief:

Have been threatened with lung fever; now convalescing; hope out of danger. Doubtless the Cumberland can and should be made our line of supplies, but bullet-proof, light-draught, powerful steamboats should be used, such as one called the Meigs, built on the Kanawha in 1861, for quartermaster's use. No organized means exist, and the rebels are now concentrating a cavalry force behind the waters of the Harpeth, to cut off all our communication. I hope to defeat, and possibly destroy, them, by a force from Kentucky: but as to boats, you can see what we have from the Navy.

W. S. ROSECRANS,

Major-General, Commanding.

WASHINGTON, D. C., January 24, 1863.

Major-General ROSECRANS,

Murfreesborough, Tenn.:

Forts Henry and Donelson have always belonged to General Grant's department. Are there any good reasons for a change?

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

MURFREESBOROUGH, TENN., January 24, 1863-6 p. m.

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief:

They were expressly in Grant's department until the order creating this department was published, in which they were included. Not doubting it was so understood, and finding them in my line of water communication, I have exercised rights of command until I found Grant did not so understand it. Their maintenance and police surveillance are essential to my lines of communication and the control of the contraband trade, and they ought to be under my command.

W. S. ROSECRANS,

Major-General, Commanding.

WASHINGTON, January 24, 1863-4 p. m.

Major-General ROSECRANS:

In reply to your telegram of January 19, the General-in-Chief decides that Forts Henry and Donelson belong to General Grant's command.

L. THOMAS.

MURFREESBOROUGH, TENN., January 24, 1863.-11.30 p. m.

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief:

Since dispatching you this evening, I have received a telegram from General Thomas, in answer to mine of the 19th, saying Forts Henry