HUNTSVILLE, September 14, 1864.

Major B. H. POLK,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

General Granger directs me to say that I have information from Whitesburg that Roddey, with 1,000 men, camped last night twelve miles from there, on opposite side of the river, intending to cross the river at some point near Guntersville. A scout of seventy-five men has been sent to Claysville and the gun-boat to patrol the river near this neighborhood.

WM. P. LYON,

Colonel, Commanding Thirteenth Wisconsin.

DECATUR, ALA., September 14, 1864.

Brigadier-General WHIPPLE,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

I am informed that Wheeler and Roddey [are] at Cheatham's, below Florence, with a force about 6,000, with large train, &c. The common rumor of their camp that they intend to return to Middle Tennessee; also that General Smith has gone back to Memphis, and that his infantry has been sent to Potomac and cavalry to Missouri. this is telegraphed to me by General Starkweather as the report of one of our men who was prisoner at that point and encamped. This will leave Forrest at liberty to join Wheeler. Is he not likely to make this combination? If not objectionable, please inform me if Smith has returned to Memphis.

R. S. GRANGER,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

[First indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Atlanta, Ga., September 14, 1864.

Respectfully forwarded to Major General W. T. Sherman, commanding Military DIVISION of the Mississippi, for his information.

What Shall I telegraph to General Granger?

GEO. H. THOMAS,

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

[Second indorsement.]

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, Atlanta, Ga., September 14, 1864.

Major-General THOMAS,

Commanding, &c.:

GENERAL: The general commanding directs me to say that General Smith's forces have been diverted to Missouri by order of Major- General Halleck; also that he has official information that Forrest and his command reached Mobile on the 8th instant. General Granger therefore need apprehend no trouble from any but Roddey, Wheeler, and the parties that have already been in Tennessee.

Very respectfully,

L. M. DAYTON,

Aide-de-Camp.

(Substance of latter indorsement communicated by Thomas to Granger September 14.)