OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP.XII.

[Inclosure.]

MONTICELLO, KY., November 11,1861-12 m.

Lieutenant Colonel JOHN W. LETCHER:

SIR: We have just arrived at this place-total about 230 men. Some 25 or 30 rebels were in some nine or ten miles of this place yesterday. There are some 1,200 rebels in Fentress County, Tenn., some 25 miles from here. There are some 500 near Old Monroe, Tenn., and some 600 below Livingston. Of this number there are about 1,000 cavalry.

We do not apprehend any danger here at present, but they might see proper to attack us. We could not conveniently make arrangements for our men any other place. We will stay here to-night and awaits further orders. Send us word as to your movements; whether we will be re-enforced and when.

Send this to Colonel Bramlette.

We must be re-enforced soon or we will have to fall back, as the rebels will receive information of our condition.

Yours, respectfully,

J.A. BRENTS, Major First Kentucky Cavalry, Commanding Forces.

CAMP WOLFORD, NEAR SOMERSET,

November 11,1861. (Received November 12.)

General GEORGE H. THOMAS:

I have been enabled to ascertain pretty full and accurate information of the enemy recently in Cumberland, Clinton, and Wayne Counties.

The opinion heretofore expressed by me to in a former communication is fully sustained.

The forces consisted of two regiments infantry and about 650 to 700 cavalry, the same that had heretofore been stationed at Camp McGinnis, in Fentress County (the cavalry), and at Camp Myers, in Overton County, near the old town of Monroe, two regiments infantry, under Colonels Stanton and Muray.

They became alarmed upon a report reaching them that I was morning upon them with a large force, and the infantry regiments fled precipitately until they reached Camp Zollicoffer, 3 miles south of Livingston, the county seat of Overton County, and about 38 miles south of the State line.

The cavalry fled from Monticello very hastily upon the report that Colonel Wolford and myself were near at hand and moving upon them, and did not halt until they made Jamestown, Tenn. In a day or two they found that they were not pursued, and returned to their old camp at Camp McGinnis, where they now are, having obstructed the road with abatis.

I am quietly waiting for them to recover from their fright and venture to peep out this side of their brush, and will, if they do so, make a dash at them and cut them off and to pieces. I know their hiding place, and how to surround it, when they get sufficient confidence to think themselves safe.

From a man whom I know well, and have from his infancy, and who has been a prisoner with them for three weeks, until they reached Camp Zollicoffer, I have learned their movements.

Mr. Huff is my informant. He got to camp Saturday night just from their camp, and is perfectly reliable. He says they talked very boldly