WASHINGTON, February 24, 1864-12.55 p.m.

Major-General GRANT,

Nashville, Tenn.:

The Chief of Ordnance reports that 5,300 carbines and accouterments, 2,000 extra sets of accouterments, and 5,000 sets of horse equipments have been sent to Nashville since January 18, in addition to more than 3,000 sets then on hand there. No more can be spared at present without interfering with the arming of the new regiments now being organized.

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

LOUISVILLE, February 24, 1864

Major General U. S. GRANT:

Shall I send 2,000 cavalry horses to General Sherman before sending any horses to Nashville? The Cavalry Bureau have but few horses on hand.

ROBT. ALLEN,

Brigadier-General.

NASHVILLE, February 24, 1864-11 a.m.

Major General J. M. SCHOFIELD,

Knoxville, Tenn.:

Should you discover by your movement on Strawberry Plains that the enemy has retreated eastward and is abandoning East Tennessee, push him as far as practicable with your whole force, destroying effectually the railroads.

Relieve Granger's troops to return to Chattanooga as soon as you ascertain the enemy is gone and cannot be overtaken by infantry. Sherman's safety in Mississippi depends upon our efforts here. Thomas in moving with apparent success on Dalton.

U. S. GRANT,

Major-General.

STRAWBERRY PLAINS, February 24, 1864

Major General U. S. GRANT,

Your dispatch of 11 a.m. is just received. If Longstreet is leaving Tennessee with his whole force it will be impossible to overtake him. I will try to learn positively in time to let Granger's corps join General Thomas before Longstreet can reach Johnston. I will press forward as fast as possible.

J. M. SCHOFIELD,

Major-General.

STRAWBERRY PLAINS, February 24, 1864

Major-General GRANT:

Longstreet destroyed the ferry-boat and completed the destruction of railroad bridge and retreated from this place yesterday. From the best information I can get he is moving rapidly toward Virginia