Decking for above boats already at Corrinth. Fair progress, considering the scarcity of trains, is being made on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. The Mobile and Ohio Railroad is reported in fair running condition. Attention is respectfully called to the necessity of furnishing clotting for the negroes impressed by the Government. At least 3,000 suits should, if possible, be placed subject to my orders, together with same number of pairs of shoes.

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,

M. L. SMITH,

Major-General and Chief Engineer, Military Div. of the West.

[Indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST, Montgomery, December 10, 1864.

Respectfully referred to Lieutenant-General Taylor for his information.

By command of General Beauregard:

GEORGE WM. BRENT.

HEADQUARTERS, Six Miles from Nashville, on Franklin Pike, December 6, 1864.

Major General D. H. MAURY,
Commanding Dept. of Ala., Miss., and East La., Mobile, Ala.:

I respectfully request that you will have the railroad to Decatur, Ala., repaired as soon as possible. Orders should at once be given to impress the labor and material necessary, and the work placed in the hands of some energetic man. I am running the Tennessee and Alabama Railroad from here to Pulaski, and will run to Decatur in a day or two.

J. B. HOOD,

General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TENNESSEE, Near Nashville, Tenn., on Franklin Pike, December 6, 1864.

Major General D. H. MAURY,
Commanding Dept. of Ala., Miss., and East La., Mobile, Ala.:

I respectfully request that you will have the railroad to Decatur, Ala., repaired as soon as possible. Orders should at once be given to impress the labor and material necessary, and the work placed in the hands of some energetic man. I am running the Tennessee and Alabama Railroad from here to Pulaski, and will run to Decatur in a day or two.

J. B. HOOD,

General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TENNESSEE, Near Nashville, Tenn., on Franklin Pike, December 6, 1864.

General D. H. MAURY,

Commanding Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana:

General: I earnestly request that you have the railroad repair as quickly as possible to Decatur, Ala., and that orders may at once be issued fort the impressment of the necessary labor and material, the whole to be placed under the control of some good railroad officer, who will push the matter through. There are certain supplies necessary to this army which cannot be obtained from the surrounding country, and which, therefore, must be brought from the rear. Wagon transportation, at all times slow and limited, will become in the bad weather, which must soon set in, a matter of impossibility. The Tennessee and Alabama Railroad is now in running order from this point to Pulaski, and will be to Decatur in a few days. There are now upon it two fine engines and three cars; additional cars are now being moved from the Chattanooga and Nashville Railroad across the country to be placed upon it. There is also a train and engine at Decatur in good order, so that rolling stock will be abundant. O telegraphed to-day both to General Beaure-