OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP.XII.

project will prove a failure. If we had lost the day at Bull Run it would have been different.

Governor Harris has urged me to insist on the brigade being armed immediately. See him, and he will be give you a letter to the Secretary of War.

WM. T. WITHERS.

MEMPHIS, August 3,1861.

HonorableL.P. WALKER:

I am informed that three of the gunboats built at Cincinnati came over the falls at New Albany, where they were to complete their armament and drop down at once to Cairo. Seven steamboats loaded with troops left Saint Louis yesterday for Bird's Point and Cairo. Fremont is concentrating a force at Cairo and Cape Girardeau. My force greatly needs strengthening. Will you not order Russell's and the other Mississippi regiments and any other forces at your command in the States of Alabama or Mississippi or Louisiana that are disposable to report to me without delay? Russell's have not yet moved. Will you please reply to my application for a quartermaster? I have none, and Captain Stockton has been detailed as my inspector-general, and I have detailed Major De Russy to act in his place as chief of engineers. The latter is not available, therefore, as quartermaster. I have nominated Mr. D.A. Shepherd as quartermaster, with the rank of major. Mr. S. is the best man I can procure for that office. I propose, also, to have transferred to the Confederate service the Ordnance Corps of TEnnessee. As it stands it is very efficiently organized, and we want it all for supplying any order and the neighboring commands. I wish Captain Moses H. Wright, late of the U.S. Ordnance Corps, to be my chief, if possible. I should like their appointments immediately. I have again to urge on the Department to send me more troops.

L. POLK.

UNION CITY, August 5,1861.

General POLK:

Mississippi force have about 1,500 effective men. More than half the Tennessee troops said to be absent and many sick. I will send definite report when obtained. The South Carolina, Alabama, and Louisiana troops were to start for Union City to-day. I have ordered them to Memphis from Corinth.

CHAS. CLARK, Brigadier-GEneral.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT NO.2,

Memphis, Tenn., August 5, 1861.

HonorableL.P. WALKER:

I am mustering in the Tennessee troops. What shall we do for staff officers? We want surgeons, quartermasters, and commissaries. We also want engineers. Shall we take that corps as it stands, or will you allow me to name such of them as have the reputation of special efficiency?

I send you a communication from the colonel of the corps, which will put you in possession of the nubmer and employment of the officers.