CHAP. XII.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.
CAMP CALVERT, London, Ky., November 2, 1861.
Captain GEORGE E. FLYNT, Assistant Adjutant-General:
SIR: Your communication of the 1st instant was duly received. The regimental reports called for will be forward as soon as they can be made out with any degree of accuracy. A want of blanks much retards this business. The county of Laurel will not supply forage for more than 10 to 20 days, and even now the utmost dissatisfaction prevails among the inhabitants. Zollicoffer had already plundered the county to a large extent, and we are at this time virtually plundering the people of what little they have left. Our promises to pay are looked upon by the people as a mere sham, amounting to nothing. We are taking at the point of the bayonet what the citizens really need for the support of their families, without returning to them anything available therefor; thus turning against us a public sentiment which we should endeavor to cherish.
It is evident that our means of transportation will hereafter prove inadequate to the required duty. Many of the mules are shoeless (a requisition for which was made some ten days since). May of our men need shoes, blankets, and great-coats, and are unable properly to perform duty without them.
Empty trains will be kept on the road to Crab Orchard as fast as discharged at this point. The report of Captain Adams, brigade commissary of subsistence, is herewith inclosed; also that of Captain Standart.*
The expresses stationed on the route to Crab Orchard are to receive the pay and allowances of privates of cavalry.
Sickness in camp is increasing. I had to hire a hospital to-day for 100 men.
I inclose a note or memorandum just received, said to be from a citizen of Greensburg, having reference to rebel forces.
Respectfully, yours,
A. SCHOEPF, Brigadier-General.
HEADQUARTERS FIRST KENTUCKY BRIGADE, Crab Orchard, November 3, 1861.
Brigadier General W. T. SHERMAN, Commanding Department of Cumberland, Louisville, Ky.:
GENERAL: Brigadier-General Schoepf has just written me that the supply of forage in Laurel County will be exhausted in twenty days, and that the inhabitants are very much dissatisfied that they do not receive the money down for what has been purchased from them.
It is reported that an abundance of corn can be bought in Madison, and that the road from Richmond to London is practicable all winter. I will send an officer in a few days to make an examination of the road and report its exact condition. I would be glad to know whether we are to make preparations for a winter campaign or go into winter quarters.
For a winter campaign we shall need more wagons, and ought to have a supply of Sibley tents; but the latter can be dispensed with to a great
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*Reports of Captains Adams and Standart not found.
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