CHAP.XII.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.- UNION.
will afforced you best idea of the scale of transportation necessary; 13,000 muskets, weighing 185,000 pounds; ammunition, weighing 54,000 pounds; accouterments, weighing 75,000 pounds; rations, weighing 250,000 pounds; artillery, ammunition thereof, camp equipage, tents, &c. A good wagon can haul on a dirt road about 2,000 pounds. It will require 350 wagon loads to carry this farther. I have ordered 120 wagons to meet me at Crab Orchard.
The gaps in the mountains are all guarded by the rebel troops, but not in sufficient numbers to prevent my going through whichever gap I may select, there being seven. The one that affords the most easy access I will of course choose. I want 100 "broken mules" for pack mules, with proper pack-saddles. Without them I will be confined in my movements to roads that are passable for wagons. With them I can move 1,000 men by a bridle-path through the mountains any reasonable distance. They are absolutely necessary to the success of the undertaking, and I shall go on and procure them on four months' time, which is the usual method in Kentucky.
In reference to rations, I have stricken out everything but the substantials, retaining only bacon, pork, flour, coffee, sugar, and vinegar. These I have purchased at sixty days after delivery.
In reference to clothing, I have directed the purchase of 10,000 flannel shirts; 10,000 pairs of socks; 5,000 hats; 5,000 pairs of pants, 5,000 pairs of shoes; all which, as well as the purchases before mentioned, were purchased at the same prices that the quartermaster and commissary pay here, and from the same persons mostly. Also 2,500 pairs of blankets; 5,000 haversacks; 5,000 knapsacks; 5,000 canteens.
I shall forward to-day estimates to the Quartermaster-General and to the Commissary-General of the amounts of articles required in their departments, including besides the foregoing camp equipage only that which is absolutely necessary for the regiments authorized.
I have to request that Dr. J. J. Mathews, of Louisville, Ky., lately appointed a brigade surgeon, may be ordered to report to me for service in the expedition.
Owing to the absolute necessity of guarding these stores in their transit through Kentucky from destruction by the secessionists, I will muster in the companies now on duty immediately. The main body will be upon active duty from the hour of their arrival at their rendezvous, and I have to request that their pay will commence from that time. The only cash payments I propose making are for the service of the daily transportation.
I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
W. NELSON.
CINCINNATI, OHIO, July 30, 1861.
Major General GEORGE B. McCLELLAN, War Department: from reliable information I learn that about 7,000 or 8,000 Mississippi Tennessee troops have left Corinth, Union City, Camps Cheatham and Troubles for Eastern Virginia.
About 2,400 Tennesseeans from Mound City have gone down the Tennessee River to Big Sandy, where they have boats; thence they intend going by Paducah and receive re-enforcements; thence to Caledonia, on Ohio River, above Cairo, and land. A portion are to cross to Illinois Central Railroad track and destroy bridges. The batteries of 32
