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

COLUMBUS, KY., August 3,1861.

Major-General POLK:

Eight steamboats with troops landed at Cairo yesterday. Their pickets were down opposite here last night.

J.P. GRAY.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

Nashville, August 3,1861.

HonorableL.P. WALKER:

SIR: It is a matter of importance, if not of absolute necessity, that the Kentucky regiments, under command of General Withers, at Camp Boone, on the Kentucky line, should be armed at the earliest moment practicable. That there will be an effort on the part of the Federal Government to arm the Union men of Tennessee I have no doubt. For this purpose companies and regiments of Union men are being organized in Kentucky, and every day our relations with the people of Kentucky are becoming more complicated and threatening, especially that part of Kentucky adjoining East Tennessee. I am relying upon the regiments at Camp Boone to guard a part of the line between the two States, but without arms of course they are useless. The transfer of the State army will be completed within a few days; in view of which fact, you must allow me to say that a strong force should be kept at the gaps on the State line in East Tennessee. I fear we will have to adopt a decided and energetic policy with the people of that section. I hope, however, to visit Richmond in a few days, and confer with you upon this and other questions of interest to the State and General Government.

Very respectfully,

ISHAM G. HARRIS.

Memoranda for Lieutenant Colonel Thomas H. Taylor.

If possible, get rifles for both regiments. If you can't get rifles, try for rifled muskets.

Urge Secretary of War and President to receive at least one more regiment of infantry from Kentucky. They ought, if possible, to take every man that offers, for we not only get good soldiers, but we get the sympathies of their relatives and friends. If the President will receive them, we can get a company from almost every county in the State. About fifty companies have already offered their services.

Try to get a regiment of cavalry accepted. Some ten companies of cavalry have offered, and will arm themselves and furnish horses, equipments, &c.

An army of 10,000 men can be provisioned with breadstuffs in this section. Much of it will be donated, and the balance can all be paid for in bonds. I have been assured that 50,000 to 70,000 bushels of wheat will be donated. Some 10,000 bushels have, I am advised, already been donated. Tell the President that we have camping here for 6,000 men, and tell him what kind of ground it is.

Advise them that efforts are being made to raise and arm a brigade in Kentucky for Lincoln's army, to operate in East Tennessee. One regiment is being organized close by our camp, and I am told have arms. I am having them closely watched, and recent advices lead me to think that they are making but little progress. I think the whole