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

and they are on important duties. You must have several graduates in your command, some of whom will answer the purpose.

S. COOPER, Assistant Adjutant-General.

FORT HENRY, TENNESSEE RIVER, September 25, 1861.

Colonel A. HEIMAN:

SIR: Agreeably to an order received upon the 14th instant, I proceed to the Kentucky side of the river opposite the post, where I met 14 mounted Kentuckians, armed and equipped, to assist me make a reconnaissance of the river and the country adjacent, as far down as I should find it expedient.

The small map which accompanies this was copied from an old one furnished by one of the company, Mr. William M. Smith. It is most probably correct, since the original is the one from which all the land in the "Jackson purchase," of which this is a map, was entered. The large map is a portion of the Jackson purchase, showing the topography of the country through which I passed.*

You will by simple inspection see to what scales the maps are drawn, recollecting the squares included between the heavy lines represent 36 square miles. The route I traveled is marked with a red dotted line. A few general facts and several particular points will embrace everything en route.

I found that the river bottom extended from one-half to three-quarters of a mile from the river, and where not cultivated was very heavily timbered. The bottom is terminated by a system of hills, generally very steep, and varying from 80 to 100 feet in height. This system is not at all regular; that is, there is no summit of any extent parallel to the river. The hills have an oblong contour, the longest diameter pointing to the southwest and northeast.

The country immediately opposite the fort is much more hilly than any I passed, owing to the hills immediately on the Tennessee River meeting those which characterize the Blood River Valley.

A very remarkable feature noticed is that the greater part, if not all, of the streams run parallel to the river (Tennessee).

The road to Bayley's Ferry is at the foot of the hills, and, though not a large one, with but little work could be made a very superior military road. The soil is compact, and has considerable gravel in it.

The hills recede from the river as you approach Bayley's; from Bayley's to Pine Bluff the road is very bad. Pine Bluff consists of two dwelling-houses and a store. There is a ferry at this point, and a large, fine road leading to Murray. Immediately opposite is a very steep, rocky, and large hill. A short distance below is another hill, not so steep, nor does it appear to be so rough.

A mile below Pine Bluff is Bass' Ferry.

Three-quarters of a mile below Bass' is Blood River Island, in size and length very similar to Panther Creek Island. About 150 yards below the foot of this island is the mouth of Blood River.

This river is rather remarkable for its steep banks and muddy bottom. There is no ford below the point at which I crossed, and but two or three above, until you reach a considerable distance from its mouth. Below Concord there are but two bridges over this stream. Blood

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* No inclosure found.

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