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

be possible to subsist the troops there through the winter, and I would respectfully recommend that they be withdrawn. They now have on hand nearly one month's supply of provisions and 40 rounds of ammunition. The troops in London are the First and Second East Tennessee Regiments and the Third Kentucky Volunteers, under command of Lieutenant S.P. Carter, U.S.N., acting brigadier-general. Please telegraph me as soon as possible whether this depot will be abandoned or not.

To supply the troops in London by this road, it will be necessary to have a depot here; but I have but one commissary and shall need his services with my command.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

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

HEADQUARTERS,

Crab Orchard, Ky., November 17,1861.

Brigadier General S.P. CARTER, Commanding Camp Calvert, near London:

GENERAL: General Buell has arrived in Louisville and assumed command of the department. He has ordered me to move with the troops here in the direction of Columbia, and that the regiments under your command remain at London for the present.

I would recommend you to write to him immediately for instructions, stating also at the same time the condition and strength of your command, and what is needed to equip the regiment. If this depot is broken up, you will have to draw your supplies from Camp Dick Robinson or Nicholasville, and it would therefore be far better to move from London to Somerset.

You will continue to send the reports and returns of your regiment to me until further orders, also all requisitions for supplies.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. H. THOMAS, U.S. Volunteers, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS EAST TENNESSEE BRIGADE,

Camp Calvert, November 17,1861. (Received November 21.)

Brigadier General GEORGE H. THOMAS, U.S.A., Commanding, &c., Crab Orchard, Ky.:

GENERAL: My brother, who will hand you this, can give you all the news we have received since my letter of yesterday from Knox County, Kentucky.

With your approbation, and for the purpose not only of keeping the rebels at a distance, but also to gain reliable information, I wish to send, possibly to-morrow night, a party in the direction of Cumberland Ford. I think I can cut off some of their cavalry, who are still committing depredations below the ford.

Requisitions were forwarded to your headquarters some days ago for shoes, among other things, which I shall be obliged to you if you will direct the quartermaster to forward by some of the returning wagons as soon as can be done; 15 pairs of No.12 are needed.

May I request you to have forwarded the stands of colors belonging to First and Second Tennessee Regiments if they have arrived? If possible, will you send me some artillery, if it be but part of a battery?