OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP.XII.
Information I believe to be reliable has just been received that General Polk has advance upon Paducah with 7,500 men. The indications are distinct, leading to the conclusion that the enemy design to advance on the Nashville Railroad and will immediately occupy Bowling Green if not anticipated.
I design to-morrow (which is the earliest practicable moment) to take possession of Bowling Green with 5,000 troops and prepare to support the movement with such force as circumstances may indicate and the means at my command may allow. Full reports of the forces of my department will be made at the earliest practicable moment. But enough is already apparent, I respectfully submit, considering the intended line of our defenses and the threatening attitude and increasing forces of the enemy in Missouri and Kentucky, to authorize and require of me the assurance to you that we have not over half the armed forces that are now likely to be required for our security against disaster. I feel assured that I can command the requisite number of men, but we are deficient in arms.
By letter of the 15th instant, borne by a special messenger, I have called earnestly upon the governors of Georgia and Alabama for arms, which I am assured they possess. If I fail with them, I shall appeal to your excellency for support and assistance. I believe that those States have quite a number of arms, and that a portion, at least, of them ought to be spared to this line of our defenses.
Having no officer that I could place in command of the movement on Bowling Green, I have been compelled to select and appoint General Simon B. Buckner a brigadier-general, subject to your approval, which I hope it may meet.
The occupation of Bowling Green is an act of self-defense, rendered necessary by the action of the government of Kentucky and by the evidences of intended movements of the Federal forces. I would be glad to have the services of G.W. Smith if it is in the power of your excellency to assign him to my command.
Any orders of your excellency will be executed promptly, and any suggestions you may make will be received with pleasure.
With great respect, your obedient servant,
A.S. JOHNSTON, General, C.S.Army.
KNOXVILLE, September 16, 1861
General A.S. JOHNSTON, Memphis, Tenn.:
SIR: On the 10th instant I apprised Adjutant-General Cooper that I expected on the 12th to have three regiments at Cumberland Ford and three other regiments there as soon as they could be withdrawn from other posts, and I added:
The country beyond Cumberland Gap, toward Nelson's Camp, is poor and hostile. To make secure our line of communication with the sources of our supplies, it is essential to strengthen the positions at Cumberland Gap, Cumberland Ford, and the intervening passes of the Three Log Mountains. This may be accomplished I trust, in a few days after the six infantry regiments get to the Ford, when we will be ready to make a forward movement.
On the 13th I received dispatches from Governor Harris and General Buckner, urging me to arrest my movement at the State line, of possible. These dispatches came too late, reaching me after my return from London. I replied to Governor Harris by telegraph, requesting him to transmit to Governor Magoffin the following note:
