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

HEADQUARTERS,

Crab Orchard, Ky., November 12,1861.

Brigadier General A. SCHOEPF, Commanding Camp Calvert, London, Ky.:

GENERAL: General Sherman has just dispatched me that General McCook send him word that the enemy have disappeared from Green River, and that there is a rumor that Buckner is moving in force towards Lexington, between us, and orders me, "if not engaged in front, to withdraw my force back to Kentucky River, and act according to the state of facts then."

As soon as you receive this, break up camp at London and join me here or at Nicholasville with all your troops. Hire transportation enough to bring your ammunition, and bring your camp equipage and three days' rations.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. H. THOMAS, Brigadier-General, U.S. Volunteers.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,

Washington, November 12,1861.

Brigadier General D.C. BUELL, Commanding Department of the Ohio:

GENERAL: Upon assuming command of the department, I will be glad to have you make as soon as possible a careful report of the condition and situation of your troops and of the military and political condition of your command. The main point to which I desire to call your attention is the necessity of entering Eastern Tennessee as soon as it can be done with reasonable chances of success, and I hope that you will, with the least possible delay, organize a column for that purpose, sufficiently guarding at the same time the main avenues by which the rebels may invade Kentucky. Our conversations on the subject of military operations have been so full, and my confidence in your judgment is so great, that I will not dwell further upon the subject, except to urge upon you the necessity of keeping me fully informed as to the state of affairs, both military and political, and your movements. In regard to political matters, bear in mind that we are fighting only to preserve the integrity of the Union and to uphold the power of the General Government. As far as military necessity will permit, religiously respect the constitutional rights of all. Preserve the strictest discipline among the troops, and while employing the utmost energy in military movements, be careful so to treat the unarmed inhabitants as to contract, not widen, the breach existing between us and the rebels.

I mean by this that is it the desire of the Government to avoid unnecessary irritation by causeless arrests and persecution of individuals. Where there is good reason to believe that persons are actually giving aid, comfort, or information to the enemy, it is of course necessary to arrest them, but I have always found that it is the tendency of subordinates to make vexatious arrests on mere suspicion. You will find it well to direct that no arrest shall be made except by your order or that of your generals, unless in extraordinary cases, always holding the party making the arrest responsible for the propriety of his course. It should be our constant aim to make it apparent to all that their property, their comfort, and their personal safety will be best preserved by adhering to the cause of the Union.