OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP. XII.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Louisville, Ky., November 11, 1861. (Received Nov. 12.)

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

SIR: Yours of the 7th, reporting the reappearance of the enemy at Monticello, is received.

The intention is doubtless so to occupy the attention of Bramlette and Wolford as to divide them from the forces in the direction of the Gap. The fact that two roads enter the fertile part Kentucky at London makes that an important point, and must be held.

Whether the force of General Shoepf is sufficient I am unable to judge, but it is impossible to re-enforce you by any except the new Kentucky levies, that are yet incomplete. Barnes' regiment at Estill Springs might be called for, and Nelson's force if it can be reached.

It is not alone the armies in the field that we have to watch, but the disunionists all over the State, who may at any moment be assembled in sufficient force to intercept trains and break up railroads.

The Kentucky volunteers will to-day be consolidated into regiments and mustered into service, and then, for the first time, be subject to orders; but, as you well know, without wagons or sufficient arms and clothing, they will not be of much use this year.

I have daily and constantly increased evidence of a vast force in our front, and that they are assembling wagons preparing for a move; and it is probable an advance on their part from Cumberland Gap along the whole line will be concentric and simultaneous. It was my judgment of the case when Secretary Cameron was here, and I begged him to prepare for it, but they never have attached the importance to Kentucky in this struggle that it merits.

My expression of dissatisfaction at the publication of Thomas' report and request to be relieved from this charge has led to the assignment of General Buell, of whom I have not yet heard.

You should have at least 10,000 more men, and could I give them they should be there, but I cannot get them.

The new regiments arrive without notice and perfectly raw.

All that I can now do is to say that I will approve of your course, let the result be what it may.

If you can hold in check the enemy in that direction, is all than can be attempted; or if you must fall back, your line is toward Lexington; or if outnumbered, you are not bound to sacrifice the lives of your command.

I was in hopes McClellan, in assuming the command, would send on adequate re-enforcements, but he has not done so. Indeed, it may be out of his power to do it.

I am, yours,

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

LOUISVILLE, November 11, 1861. (Received November 12.)

General THOMAS:

I am just in receipt of a telegraphic dispatch from McCook, at Camp Nolin, that the forces in his front along Green River have disappeared, and that there is a rumor that Buckner is moving in force toward Lexington between us. If not engaged in front, at once withdraw your force back of Kentucky River, and act according to the state of facts then.