OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP. XII.

troops for an onward movement, the object being to take possession of Cumberland Ford and Cumberland Gap, and ultimately seize the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad.

In compliance with these orders, I desire you to move the three Ohio regiments now in Camp Dick Robinson to some convenient point beyond your camp, in the hope that they may thus escape the epidemic now prevailing among your men. You will order the regiments at Nicholasville to remain there until transportation shall arrive.

I beg you, general, to make every preparation in your power for this expedition in which we are about to be united.

It is my purpose to leave for the camp as soon as I am assured that supplies, transportation, ammunition, and other necessaries are certain to be sent forward.

In the hope of soon greeting you in camp, I have the honor to be, very truly, your obedient servant,

O. M. MITCHEL, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES, Paducah, Ky., October 10, 1861.

To all whom it may concern, greeting:

Since the undersigned assumed command of the troops at this place his purpose has been to pursue such a course as to show the inhabitants of this region that it was not the intention of the Government to interfere with their comfort and well being in any respect, not excepting those who were known to sympathize with the people of the States in rebellion. The person and property of every one has been protected, and quiet and good order preserved. If any discomfort or annoyance has occurred, it has been incidental to a state of war and from military necessity.

The undersigned hoped that such course would open the eyes of the population to the falsehoods industriously circulated by the leaders and politicians of the South respecting the intention of the Government in sending troops here. Perhaps it may have done some good; but the course taken by some of the inhabitants of this city, and by many in the neighborhood, satisfies him that the conciliatory policy ceases to be a virtue.

He will, accordingly, take such measures as the circumstances call for and justify. What those may be, time will develop. As one measure, he has forbidden the outposts to pass out any person without a written permission from these headquarters, which will only be given to persons of approved loyalty to the Government of the United States. Nor will goods or stores of any description be permitted to pass out without the same permission.

C. F. SMITH, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

LOUISVILLE, KY., October 11, 1861.

Brigadier-General THOMAS, Commanding Camp Dick Robinson:

SIR: It is very important you should make an advance movement in the direction of the Cumberland. I know your means of transportation