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

I further request that you will inform me of the places selected and the numbers you will order to each, that arrangements for supplies may be made.

The troops will be mustered as soon as organized.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. S. JOHNSTON, General, C. S.

HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT, Columbus, Ky., September 23, 1861.

Brigadier General F. K. ZOLLICOFFER:

GENERAL: Your letter of the 16th instant was received by General Johnston yesterday. I am directed to say that he agrees with you that it is essential to strengthen the position at Cumberland Gap and Fort and the intervening passes of the three mountains; and so fully is he impressed with the importance of these works, that he wishes them prosecuted with all vigor, and to be made tenable by the smallest practicable force, thus setting free for other operations as large a portion of your command as possible. A forward movement from your present position at this time cannot be made.

Your advance into Kentucky and your route must be timed by, and in its direction combined with, the movements of General Buckner, now advancing into Kentucky. When this position, military and political, is better developed, you will receive full information and special orders.

Pending this, the general wishes the works of defense to be prosecuted with the greatest vigor, and your troops held in hand for a prompt movement when the route is given.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General.

NASHVILLE, September 23, 1861.

General A. SIDNEY JOHNSTON, Commanding Confederate Troops, Columbus, Ky.:

SIR: My telegram of this morning may not sufficiently explain the condition of things in my brigade.

I reached here this morning, by order of Brigadier-General Buckner, to superintend the arming of that portion of my brigade which remained at Camp Boone after the forward movement by General Buckner, but was afterwards moved here by order of General Buckner, expecting to find arms sufficient to fit them for the field. Not a single gun can be procured, of any sort, under any circumstances.

The brigade numbers near 3,000 men, about one-sixth badly armed. The brigade is in the advance, at Bowling Green, and the want of arms has a most demoralizing effect on the men.

Governor Harris states this morning that a vessel with 8,500 Enfield rifles, with other supplies, has reached Savanna, Ga.; if this be so, can you not intercede at Richmond for us? A failure to arm us promptly will act ruinously on our friends in Kentucky.

If anything can be done, I beg you will telegraph me as to how I shall proceed.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

LLOYD TILGHMAN, Colonel, Commanding First Kentucky Brigade.