OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP.XII.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Louisville, Ky., September 28, 1861.

General O. M. MITCHEL, Commanding U. S. Forces, Cincinnati, Ohio:

DEAR SIR: I have had as full a conversation with General McCook in reference to the condition and wants of my department as the press of business has permitted.

I need, as the general will tell you, all the regiments you can spare. I shall not attempt to guard neighborhoods, but will form not more than there corps d'armees. Forward the regiments, as rapidly as you can get them ready, to this point. Here is where the most urgent call is for additional force, and the sooner here the better. it would give me great pleasure to correspond with you, but I am without assistance, and have not time to make the proper reports and communications to the War Department. You will aid me greatly if you will order General McCook down to assist me in my department.

In haste, yours, very respectfully,

ROBERT ANDERSON, Brigadier-General, U. S. Army, Commanding.

CAMP WILDCAT, September 28, 1861 - 5 p. m.

General GEORGE H. THOMAS:

Colonel Wolford has sent me a special messenger to notify you the rebels are within 8 miles or less of London. They suppose there are from 5,000 to 7,000; does not say whether they have artillery or not.

I am in camp one-half mile this side of the entrenchments, and will do our best to maintain our position. It is unnecessary for me to take any suggestions as to more men, as you will understand all.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

T. T. GARRARD.

P. S.- I will not seal this. I will authorize the messenger to show it to the commander of any troops he may meet. It is 13 miles from here to london.

T. T. GARRARD, Colonel, Third Regiment Volunteers.

CINCINNATI, OHIO, September 28, 1861.

Colonel E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-General:

On the 26th instant, at the request of General Anderson and the Kentucky legislature, my own judgment concurring, I ordered Colonel Van Derveer, commanding Thirty-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteers, to take and hold the Central Kentucky Railroad from Covington to lexington. This has been successfully accomplished, the bridges all guarded, and our communications with Camp Dick Robinson are now secure. On the 27th instant Colonel Steedman, commanding Fourteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteers, left Covington under orders to occupy a point on the Lexington and Louisville Railroad near Locks 2 and 3, Kentucky River. We thus surround a force supposed to be concentrated in Owen County, Ky., commanded by Humphrey Marshall, while we secure our communication between Camp Dick Robinson and Louisville.

A Union company is forming at Maysville, Ky., giving us a cordon