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

I telegraphed you in regard to the Ordnance Corps, and asked that as I had detailed Lieutenant M.I. White, the only officer of that corps I had, to accompany General Pillow's column, I also asked that I might have the Ordnance Corps of Tennessee, which was very efficient, turned over to the Confederate Army. Those I wanted were Captain Moses H. Wright, Captain W. Richardson Hunt, Lieutenant George Graden, and I need them all. Captain Wright is an officer of the old Army, and very efficient.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

L. POLK, Major-General, Commanding Second Department.

P.S.-I beg leave to add that I am greatly in need of the requisition made [by] the ordnance officer, White.

MEMPHIS, August 6,1861.

HonorableL.P. WALKER:

I have reason to believe the enemy is concentrating troops at Bird's Point and Cairo, with the aim of making a movement down the river. I have been disappointed in getting the troops promised from Arkansas. I have telegraphed for Russell's regiment of Mississippi and any other regiments within my reach, and have had no reply. From whence am I to obtain additional force as it shall be needed to co-operate with McCulloch and Hardee in Missouri, which is indispensable to their success, and at the same time defend the river? I must have more force. Please reply.

L. POLK.

BLANDVILLE, August 6,1861.

[General POLK:]

DEAR SIR: We are threatened with invasion by General Prentiss, as he said to two of our citizens Saturday afternoon that after the August election "Kentucky neutrality would go up," and that he intended to send a military escort with Mr. Thomas Owens to Milburn to-day. He also said "that he should send reconnoitering parties into Kentucky to watch the enemy in Tennessee." Further, he said he was "expecting orders to occupy Kentucky"; also that when his troops came into Kentucky the people should "change to Union men or keep their mouths shut."

We shall try to defend ourselves against aggression upon our political can personal rights.

Communicate the above facts to such person as ought to know them.

Yours, truly,

C. WICKLIFFE.

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS,

Knoxville, August 6,1861.

Adjt.General S. COOPER, Richmond, Va.:

SIR: Thomas A.R. Nelson, with an escort of three men, supposed to be on his way to take his seat in the Federal Congress at Washington, was arrested about midnight night before last in Lee County, Virginia, by a company of Home Guards of that county. He was