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

I have established relays of expresses at Dr. Joplin's, at Hackney's, and at Kemper's, point along the road between Crab Orchard and London. This will secure a more prompt communication.

A train stars to-day for Crab Orchard for provisions. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. SCHOEPF, Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Louisville, Ky., November 2, 1861.

General W. T. WARD, Campbellsville:

DEAR SIR: Your letters of 31st is received. When prisoners are received have the papers all handed to Judge Bullitt, a good Union man, and a member of the court of appeals, to whose decision I leave the case. We cannot imprison and keep in custody all suspected persons, and the only safe course is to follow the law of the State of Kentucky, which makes arrests only proper when overt acts of treason are established. The cases you mention are certainly such as the safety of the community would justify in having imprisoned, and I will caution Judge Bullitt on the point.

By me request Judge Catron has appointed a number of commissioners to reside along the line, one of whom was designed for Campbellsville. His examination and commitment will be final, and will obviate our hitherto trouble of judging cases from mere letters and the explanations of the accused. So may improper arrests were made by shelf-constituted authorities that there was a physical impossibility of keeping them. To inflict any cruelty on them would not be tolerated by the laws of war or peace, and the consequence is may dangerous men are set free. Judge Catron says the commissioners can put them under bond, and the bond will be good against their property or the property of their sureties.

As you can well understand, we would soon fill all the places of confinement in Louisville were we to arrest and imprison all who may be dangerous. Leaders and conspicuous men never should alone be arrested, unless in strong cases, and then an examination should be had before a commissioner of the United States.

I expect you up this week.

Yours, truly,

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

CAMP WOLFORD, ONE AND A HALF MILES FROM CAMP GOGGIN, November 2, 1861. (Received November 6.)

General GEORGE H. THOMAS: I reached here with my command last evening.

The enemy on 31st ultimo threw forward to Monticello 400 to 600 of his cavalry. I learn to-day that he withdrew them the same night to some point not ascertained below Monticello, toward the Tennessee border. His infantry is yet in Clinton County, and I think will not now advance.

I have dispatched a messenger to Columbia, where I learn Colonel Haggard [and] Colonel Grider are with their regiments; and one of my