OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP. XII.

For the convenience of supplying provisions to the troops I have established a depot at Crab Orchard, which depot I propose to supply from Nicholasville by hired transportation, at the rate of 50 cents per hundred, and the transporter to pay all tolls. By that means we shall be relieved of the annoyance of the toll bills. The regiments can obtain their rations and other supplies from the depot at Crab Orchard and transport them in their regimental wagons.

Should you approve of the other route, I am told that everything we may want can be sent us by hired transportation direct from Lexington through Richmond, and it is said that road is practicable all winter.

The Kentucky River, as you know, is crossed on this road by a bridge, which will have to be guarded. On the other road it is crossed by means of a ferry, which it will be necessary to guard also, as all the people living in the immediate vicinity are secessionists. Madison County also is of doubtful loyalty, and it is possible that it may become necessary to send escorts with trains on that road. The company of pioneers of which I spoke to you when here is nearly completed, and it is possible I amy be able to repair the road between Crab Orchard and the camp so as to make it practicable all winter. If, however, you think I have advanced too far, I will cheerfully obey any orders you may give to fall back.

If the regiment at Irvine is of any more account than the Kentucky regiment I have, I think it is now well posted to prevent communication between the rebels at Prestonburg and Zollicoffer's forces. If it is no better than those I have with me, I shall be only so much the more embarrassed by having it with me. If I could get four additional regiments of Ohio or Indiana volunteers, i would be perfectly willing to dispense with all the Kentucky regiments I have.

The Ohio troops here have no brigade commander. I need an officer to take charge of them very much, and would be very much pleased if I could get your acting inspector-general (Captain C. C. Gilbert) appointed a brigadier and sent here. The Government could not confer the appointment on a better man.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. H. THOMAS, Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.

CAMP CONNELL, NEAR LONDON, Laurel County, Kentucky, October 28, 1861.

[General GEORGE H. THOMAS:]

GENERAL: In compliance with your instructions I have moved my command forward, and now occupy a position about 3 miles north of London, at the junction of the Crab Orchard and Richmond roads.

I have in camp the Fourteenth and Seventeenth Ohio and Thirty-third Indiana and two batteries (Standart's and Kenny's).

I have sent Colonel Garrard's Kentucky and the First Tennessee ahead to occupy London or some convenient point adjacent. The Second Tennessee.

Please advise me of the location, strength, &c., of the several columns of our forces now in Kentucky. I am feeling my way somewhat in the dark, and would like to be kept posted up with reference to the movements of both friends and enemies. I reconnoitered this morning a few miles beyond London to find a better camping ground, but found no