On the 25th I telegraphed to General Halleck: Hood seems to be moving, as it were, to the Alabama line, leaving open the road to Mason, as also to Augusta; but his cavalry is busy on all our roads.

A force, number estimated as high as eight thousand, are reported to have captured Athena, Alabama; and a regiment of three hundred and fifty men sent to its relief.

I have sent Newton's division up to Chattanooga in cars, and will send another division to Rome.

If I were sure that Savannah would soon be in our possession, I should be tempted to march for Milledgeville and Augusta; but I must first secure what I have.
Jeff.

Davis is at Macon.
On the next day I telegraphed further that Jeff.