OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP. XII.

for the troops hauled from Nicholasville to Crab Orchard by contract, and will endeavor to have a Government train organized to transport the surplus supplies from the latter place to the camp in advance, and gradually work out of the confusion into which the transportation has fallen in consequence of the inexperience of those gentlemen who have been performing the duties of quartermaster.

I cannot learn anything positive of the movements of the enemy, either in direction of Barboursville or Somerset. I have sent Colonels Bramlette and Wolford to Somerset to the assistance of Colonel Hoskins, simply because he (Hoskins) urges me to send him re-enforcements; but I must think that the information he has of the advance of the enemy on his camp is not very reliable. I wish very much that I could get four Ohio or Indiana regiments, so as to enable me to place the Kentuckians in permanent camps. I do not think they will ever be in the least reliable. All but one regiment (Colonel Fry's) are in bad drill, and in worse discipline.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

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

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Louisville, Ky., November 1, 1861.

General GEORGE H. THOMAS, Crab Orchard, Ky.:

DEAR SIR: Yours of yesterday is received. I am fully conscious of the difficulties you describe to the Kentucky regiments.

The telegraph is now completed to Nicholasville. Please have some trusty persons there to telegraph me news from yourself and Somerset.

There are several regiments at Cincinnati, but I deem it wise to hold them in reserve till the development of the game, whether they go to Nelson, yourself, or McCook.

From all I can learn, no large force can come in by the Gap this season, but the case is different towards Somerset and Nashville. I trust you have got clothing for your men, and that you have well secured the bridge over the Kentucky.

Yours,

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

HEADQUARTERS CAMP CALVERT, London, November 1, 1861.

Captain GEORGE E. FLYNT, Assistant Adjutant-General, First Kentucky Brigade:

SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 31st ultimo, directing that no troops be thrown forward farther than Pitman's, near this place.

My present position (London) was occupied in obedience to what I understood to be the verbal order of General Thomas, and was indeed necessary to the securing of supplies and a good camping ground. i shall advance no father without orders to that effect.

I have started a corn mill in the vicinity, with which and the present means of transportation, I can, I think, keep my command supplied.