OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [Chap.XII.

great expense, when they should be defended in Kentucky and Missouri. The unfortunate state of affairs which has caused our troops to fall back in the latter State is deeply to be deplored. We are bound to accept it as necessary, though we may not see the reason. It would have been a great diversion in favor of the movements in Kentucky. In both these States all depended on rapid movement to save our friends before the enemy could disarm and disorganize them. We fear that procrastination has cost us much, but look with great confidence to the future under your control. Deep solicitude is felt on the subject of an appointment to the War Office.

The health of the President is such that he cannot give his personal attention to the details of service, and it is essential that he should have a man of the highest abilities and of great nerve and self-reliance.

The policy of the enemy seems now to be defensive at the North, relying upon the winter to check us there, while he will operate by naval expeditions throughout the South.

Wishing you full success in the arduous and responsible task before you, I am, most respectfully, your obedient servant,

BRAXTON BRAGG.

GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, DEP'T NO. 2, Numbers 1. } Columbus, Ky., September 21, 1861.

The following order is published for the information of the troops in the First Division, Department Numbers 2:

SPECIAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT NO. 2, Numbers 4. } Columbus, Ky., September 21, 1861.

I. Major-General Polk, C. S. Army, is assigned to the command of the First Division of this department, which will embrace the country within the following lines, viz: Beginning at the point on the State line crossed by the Memphis and Louisville Railroad, and running along the Henderson and Nashville and Central Alabama (excluding the city of Nashville); thence west along said boundary and the northern boundary of Mississippi to the Mississippi River; thence northwardly along the western bank of the river. On the north side the division will extend so far into the State of Kentucky, west of the Cumberland River, as the major-general may find it advisable to cover by his army.

II. The commander of this division is charged with the defenses of the Mississippi, from the southern line of his division northward as far as his troops occupy.

III. He is authorized to draw from the depot at Nashville such supplies as may be needed.

By command of General Johnston:

W. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General.

By command of Major-General Polk:

E. D. BLAKE, Captain, C. S. Army, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

PROCLAMATION.*

[SEPTEMBER 22 (?), 1861.]

Whereas the armed occupation of a part of Kentucky by the United States and the preparations which manifest the intention of their Government to invade the Confederate States through that territory has imposed it on these last, as a necessity of self-defense, to enter that

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* See Davis to Johnston, September 17, p. 411.

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