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

so great as when held by the enemy. The troops at London cannot reach here before Saturday or Sunday, and I will move towards Nicholasville as soon as they reach here unless I receive further orders from you not to do so. Very respectfully,

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

HEADQUARTERS,

Crab Orchard, November 13,1861.

General W.T. SHERMAN, Commanding Department of the Cumberland, Louisville, Ky.:

GENERAL: Colonel Bramlette writes me from Somerset on the 11th, but does not think the enemy have any intention of advancing.

From General Schoepf's camp the report is that Zollicoffer has retired beyond Cumberland Gap, leaving some cavalry pickets on the Tennessee side of the Cumberland Ford. I will send you copies of Colonel Bramlette's report to-night by mail.

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

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,

Louisville, Ky., November 13,1861. (Received Nov.14.)

Brigadier-General THOMAS, Commanding, Crab Orchard:

SIR: I have just telegraphed you to await further orders.

I think that the enemy in your front will reduce rather than increase, and the difficulty of hauling supplies will warrant the reduction of your force at London and moving a portion back in the direction of the Kentucky River. The enemy across Green River has impressed a large number of wagons, and cannot remain idle much longer.

I am deficient in transportation and tied to a railroad which must be strongly guarded. The route of approach will most likely be from Glasgow to Columbia, Liberty, Stanford, and Danville. I have not yet detected any signs of such an advance, and infer it from the fact I have stated and the current belief among secessionists. You may therefore arrange for a good person to watch that line and give you timely notice. Colonels Grider and Haggard are at Columbia, and are acquainted with all the country as far as Bowling Green. And in addition to the person you may rely on, I will instruct them to send you word of any signs they may observe.

I am, yours,

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

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,

Louisville, Ky, November 14,1861. (Received Nov. 16.)

General GEORGE H. THOMAS, Crab Orchard:

SIR: I have just received information that a force of about 2,700 men, three pieces of artillery, and 400 horses were at Tompkinsville on Tuesday last, marching towards Columbia, and probably the design being