OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP.XII.

CAMP WILDCAT, October 1, 1861.

General GEORGE H. THOMAS, Camp Dick Robinson:

I have information, reliable, that the rebels retreated 9 miles beyond London on Sunday. A negro of mine reached camp last night with a letter from my wife; she says they left there Sunday morning and returned towards their encampment on Cumberland River. Rumor says they have destroyed much property in Knox.

They destroyed Captain Murphy's property. He is in the third Regiment of Volunteers from Clay County. They tore down haystacks and burnt some rails for another person, is all the damage they done except taking the coffee and salt, for which I learn they left Jeff. Davis bonds.

Colonel Wolford and myself made arrangements to blockade the Madison road to-day, but we, on consultation last night, agreed to countermand the order this morning; though, should you desire it, please say so, and we will have it attended to immediately.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

T. T. GARRARD, Colonel Third Regiment Volunteers.

P. S.- I would like very much for General Crittenden to send some one here to take command of his forces; they are organizing three companies; though I suppose Colonel Brown will do so. I will endeavor to get Colonel Brown to move them on the river, 2 miles from us; they are in our camp, and it is almost impossible to do anything with them or our men.

T. T. GARRARD.

CAMP AT ALBANY, October 1, 1861 - 8 a. m.

Brigadier-General THOMAS:

SIR: I find it impossible to hold the Home Guards of Casey and Lincoln longer than forty-eight hours from this time.

I learn that the Confederate troops are rallying again at Travisville, with the intention of attacking us. From the best information, they cannot muster a force exceeding 1,150. Last night at 9 o'clock our picket guard were fixed upon by a party of seven persons within 3 miles of the camp; they returned the fire, with what effect I have not ascertained. None of ours were injured that know of, though one of the picket has not yet come up.

I have ordered a detachment of fifty cavalry to scout the whole country in the neighborhood of the beat at which the pickets were stationed, as also that in which the absent picket was stationed.

We are occupying what I consider a strong natural position and one of importance to the use, rendered so by many circumstances, among which are the following, viz: Within the camp guard we have three good flouring mills; within the county we have an abundance of wheat and forage, and, it being situated south of the Cumberland River, could they get possession of the county it would serve as a rallying point to which they could gather re-enforcements by way of the Cumberland River, while the number of roads diverging from this point would enable them to move forward in the direction of either Monticello, Jamestown, or Burkesville. between this and the Cumberland River there are five beds of stone-coal, au article of importance to them. Below, at Burkesville, there are five salt wells, the possession of which is all-important to the rebels.