OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [Chap.XII.

RICHMOND, October 6, 1861.

Major ASHE, Chattanooga, Tenn.:

I countermanded your orders to impress cars on Western and Atlantic Railroad. I did not know that the road belonged to the State of Georgia when I gave the order.

J. P. BENJAMIN, Acting Secretary of War.

HEADQUARTERS CENTRAL KENTUCKY DIVISION, Bowling Green, Ky., October 6, 1861.

Colonel W. W. MACKALL, Columbus, Ky.:

DEAR SIR: Allow me to call your immediate attention to the requisition which was forwarded to you on Thursday last for three 24-pounder guns, six 12-pounder guns, and six 12-pounder howitzers for the armament of the fortifications in process of construction about this place. Also a requisition which was made on the ordnance department at Nashville for the same purpose.

The work thrown up on the most commanding position is near its completion, and is now ready for the first-named guns. Prudence requires that this position should be placed in an efficient state of defense at the earliest moment.

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

S. B. BUCKNER, Brigadier-General, C. S. Army.

P. S. - The department at Nashville could not fill these requisitions. I suppose they must be filled from Memphis. I have heard nothing from a requisition for siege battery, & c., which I made on Memphis several weeks ago with the sanction of General Polk. A few rifled (Parrott) guns will be needed in the system of defense. This point can be made a strong entrenched camp.

Respectfully,

S. B. BUCKNER, Brigadier-General.

COLUMBUS, KY., October 6, 1861.

Colonel V. K. STEVENSON, Quartermaster, Nashville:

I telegraphed you yesterday to have transportation for 5,000 or 6,000 men ready at Tennessee Crossing to take the command to Bowling Green. I now give the numbers of men and horses exact, viz, 5,000 men, 900 horses, 12 field pieces and equipments, and rations for the men for ten days. All should go together, if possible; if not, at short intervals.

Can you not transport all; if not, how many? The troops leave here to-night; when will you be ready at the river? The train must return to the crossing for two regiments, 150 wagons, and 450 mules of Hardee's train.

W. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General.