OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP. XII.
I wish I could make your communications perfectly safe, and the cost would be nothing. There should be at least ten good regiments to your rear, capable of sustaining the head of your column at London, but I am unable to provide; and hereabouts the army should be such as to prevent all idea of attack; but Buckner and Hardee have across Green River a very large force and my advance at their pleasure.
In this state of the case I can only repeat my former orders, for you to hold in check the force of Zollicoffer and await events. The road by the Richmond depending on the ferry appears to me less safe to you than the one crossing Kentucky River by the bridge.
I have nothing from Nelson for some days.
Truly, yours,
W. T. SHERMAN, Brigadier-General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Louisville, Ky., November 5, 1861.
General J. T. BOYLE, Lebanon, Ky.:
SIR: Your two letters are received.* My information is that Buckner has drawn back his forces from Munfordville and Glasgow and is farther down the river. His designs are either on some point of the river below or to get up between McCook and the mouth of Salt River.
I don't think your command will be threatened for some time; therefore push your organization, and don't allow any of the regiments to engage in marauding expeditions; it would be better for them to be united in one body, but I suppose enlistments would be delayed by concentration.
General Ward is here and exhibits an appointment as brigadier-general, and calls my attention to the fact that in his absence Colonel Hobson is entitled to command.
The great importance of forming your Kentucky regiments will force me to allow General Ward to resume his command, and I beg you will push the formation of your regiments. The force under Harlan, Ward, and Grider should be sufficient to prevent any movement from Green River towards Thomas, and that is all I design during the process of formation; and as soon as the organization is made under the authority of the State board, then I must consolidate you on some efficient force. The scattered condition of the Kentucky volunteers makes them a source of weakness instead of strength. We depend on them, that is, the General Government does, and yet they are not in a shape to act efficiently, not even to defend themselves. The giving of commissions by the President and by General Anderson has embarrassed to allow General Ward suppose it was inevitable. I am forced therefore to allow General Ward to resume his office, to construct, if possible, his brigade, and await the consolidation of the board before I can presume to count on them for military service.
The sketches you have made of the passes on Muldraugh's Hill correspond with several I have received, and were we purely on the defensive they might be occupied, but to place regiments of Northern troops there would tie them down, and prevent their use for other service. This is one of the purpose of Your Kentucky regiments when the come to be ready.
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*Not found.
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