CHAP. XII.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.

nesseeans, Texans, and Cherokee Indians. Hardee is there, and 6,000 from Columbus.

W. T. SHERMAN, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

P. S. - Green River Bridge blown up.

LOUISVILLE, KY., October 15, 1861.

Colonel TURCHIN:

DEAR SIR: Two gentlemen unknown to me, but introduced by Mr. Guthrie, say some negro slaves have taken refuge in your camp and are there sheltered.

The laws of the United States and of Kentucky, all of which are binding on us, compel us to surrender a runaway negro on application of negro's owner or agent. I believe you have not been instrumental in this, but my orders are that all negroes shall be delivered up on claim of the owner or agent. Better keep the negroes out of your camp altogether, unless you brought them along with the regiment.

Yours, &c.,

W. T. SHERMAN, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

LOUISVILLE, KY., October 15, 1861.

Brigadier General [A. McD.] McCOOK, Commanding Camp on Nolin:

SIR: I have ordered Colonel Willich to move by the road to Hodgensville to your camp with eight companies, the two others to follow as soon as Colonel Pope can reach New Haven with his regiment of Kentucky volunteers, also Captain Cotter's battery of five of James' rifled guns. He has not all the proper ammunition, but must use the best at hand. I have a regiment now unarmed. I will arm them with the best foreign muskets on hand and send forward as soon as possible.

I must go to Camp Dick Robinson on business ordered by the Secretary of War, but will leave orders here for all staff officers to supply you with all things possible, and to forward any armed troops that may arrive. The destruction of the railroad bridge at Green River, the defensive preparations at Bowling Green, and other facts lead me to conclude that an enemy awaits u on the other side of Green River.

But you must be prepared for anything. I leave orders for Generals Wood and Johnson to hasten to you the moment they arrive, and I wish you to divide your command into three brigades and push the drill. Look well to the ammunition, and if you need any, telegraph or send down a special messenger.

I am now fully alive to the fact that we have not strength adequate to the case, but I have done all possible to hasten forward re-enforcements; but the difficulty is the want of arms. The Kentuckians, too, are slow in organizing, though they promised much.

There is one regiment (Grider's) already formed in Monroe County, south of you. Brigadier-General Ward, at Greensburg, also has three regiments forming. They are ordered to threaten the flank of Buckner's position. At Owensborough, on the Ohio, are also forming four regiments. I have sent General Crittenden there to hurry forward the organization and to make demonstrations on that flank. I know