NASHVILLE, TENN., April 29, 1864. (Received 2.10 p.m.)

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Chief of Staff:

This is the message referred to in cipher of yesterday:

KNOXVILLE, TENN., April 27, 1864-11.30 a.m.

General W. T. SHERMAN:

I have intelligence from the Watauga expedition. As was anticipated, the rebels destroyed the bridge after being driven it by our cavalry. The river was too high to be forded. Our loss in the fight was 3 killed and 18 wounded; that of the enemy not yet reported. The troops will reach Lick Creek to-night. They have destroyed all the bridges from Bull's Gap to the Watauga, and about 20 miles of the track. Considering the time allowed them, think they have done remarkably well, and all that could be desired.

J. M. SCHOFIELD,

Major-General.

W. T. SHERMAN,

Major-General.

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, Chattanooga, April 29, 1864.

General SCHOFIELD,

Knoxville, Tenn.:

General Grant gives me to the 5th to be ready. I will expect your quota at or near Charleston by May 2, where I will come to see you or get you to come her in person. Keep your movements from the press as much as possible. Let the enemy find out our movements through their own spies, not ours. Thomas is all right and McPherson is coming.

W. T. SHERMAN,

Major-General, Commanding.

KNOXVILLE, April 29, 1864.

Colonel R. M. SAWYER,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

My effective force to be concentrated on the 2nd of May is as follows:

First Division, Brigadier-General Hovey commanding......... 4,370

Second Division, Brigadier-General Judah commanding........ 3,850

Third Division, Brigadier-General Cox commanding........... 4,020

Engineer battalion......................................... 160

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Total Infantry............................................. 12,400

Artillery, twenty-four pieces.

J. M. SCHOFIELD,

Major-General.

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, Chattanooga, April 29, 1864.

General McPHERSON,

Huntsville, Ala.:

General Grant wants me to be all ready by the 5th of May. To accomplish this the Fifteenth Corps could march here by that date, but we would have to push up Dodge's command in cars, leaving the