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376 Series I Volume IV- Serial 4 - Operations in the South and West

Page 376(Official Records Volume 4)  


OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP.XII.

camps of instruction in Tennessee is approved. The location of such camps has been referred to the governor already, as will be seen by reference to the communication of June 30.

The Department is gratified to hear of the success of the efforts in Tennessee for the raising of rifle regiments. Too much energy cannot be devoted to the enlistment of troops and the procuring of arms. The Government would also gladly co-operate with any proper measures for the improvement of the arms, subject, of course, always to the direction and approval of the proper officers of this Government. The manufacture of the munitions of war, such as you refer to, within the State of Tennessee, is highly improved, and the Government would gladly encourage and promote such manufactures by every means within its power.

Very respectfully,

L.P. WALKER, Secretary of War.

HEADQUARTERS KENTUCKY BRIGADE,

Camp Boone, July 28,1861.

HonorableL.P. WALKER, Secretary of War:

SIR: Yours of the 19th instant, in which you express a willingness to accept the additional Kentucky companies but for the inability of the Government to arm them, has been received. Since our glorious victories of the 18th and 21st I hope it will be in your power to arms them. The companies are still organized, and will be greatly disappointed if they cannot be received. If you find that you can arm them, please telegraph me at Clarksville, and I will, if instructed to do so, order them to our camp. I can provide everything for them except again bring the matter to your attention.

Very respectfully, yours, &c.,

WM. T. WITHERS.

COLUMBUS, KY., July 30,1861.

Major-General POLK:

The guns at Cairo being removed to Bird's Point; 7,000 at Bird's Point; 2,000 expected Sunday night last. Fremont at Cape Girardeau Sunday with 2,000 men. No communication with Cairo since Sunday night.

D. O'DIXON. [?]

MEMPHIS, July 30,1861.

HonorableL.P. WALKER:

My column has made the landing at New Madrid safely. They will fortify it. Fremont is at Cairo. I have immediate need of an ordnance officer. The man I want is here-Lieutenant Moses H. Wright, late of the U.S. Army. Willyou give him a first lieutenant's commission, and order him to report to me? I have detailed Major De Russy as my chief of engineers. Captain Galt, having been relieved from my quartermaster's staff, makes another appointment immediately necessary. I submitted to you in a letter the name of Mr. D.A. Shepherd. Will you make him a major or captain? We transfer Tennessee proceeds to-day.

L. POLK.