CHAP.XII.] ADVANCE OF CONFEDERATES INTO KENTUCKY, ETC.

have conferred with General A.S. Johnston, the matter is left to your discretion.

S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General.

COLUMBUS, KY., September 14, 1861

Adjutant-General COOPER:

The enemy is concentrating a force at Paducah. It is necessary I should have more troops. I am offered two brigades by Governor Pettus, of Mississippi, armed and equipped, provided are mustered into the Confederate service. May I take them? Prompt action is our policy now in Kentucky.

L. POLK,

COLUMBUS, September 14, 1861

His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS, President, &c:

Inclosed I send you a letter from two distinguished gentlemen of Kentucky, which will explain itself. My own opinion is they overrate the importance of the seizure on the public mind of Kentucky. This is as I regard it from other sources of information. They both agree that the course Kentucky has pursued deprives her of the right to protest, and so far as the protection of Tennessee is concerned the seizure in a military point of view was a necessity. Both deplore the effect on what they think its political influence. I believe if we could have found a respectable pretext, it would have been better to have seized this place some months ago, as I am convinced we had more friends then in Kentucky than we have hand since, and every hour's delay made against us. Kentucky was fast melting away under the influence of the Lincoln Government. If we make the stand now, and do it vigorously we shall find we have more allies in the State than we shall ever have at any future day, and if our arms should be successful in a few battles, the State will soon abandon the position which fear of the power of the Federal Government alone constrains her now to maintain. Give us armies, with more commanders, and we cannot but believe, that the State will rally strongly to our support for their emancipation.

I have the honor to remain, respectfully, your obedient servant, L. POLK, Major-General, Commanding.

P.S. - I hear the Federalists have about 8,000 infantry and 1,500 cavalry, at Paducah. I moved Cheatham's and Stephens' regiments out to-day to Mayfield to protect my right flank. It is of the highest importance that we should have a large re-enforcement now to press the enemy before he has time to fortify. He has laid out extensive works around Paducah, and is meaning evidently to make it his base.

General C.F. Smith is in command.

[Inclosure.]

COLUMBUS, September 13, 1861

General POLK:

The undersigned at the request of many friends interested in the protection of Southern rights in the State of Kentucky, visit you at the