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

this hill and about 1 mile from immediately opposite the fort, is a hill 250 feet the crest of the parapet, from which a spur projects to a distance of 3,000 feet from the fort, with an elevation of 80 feet, which, from its flanking position and the nature of the ground, may be easily fortified.

These hills I consider the really dangerous points, and proper batteries placed on them will certainly command the fort. Should the enemy attempt an invasion of the State by ascending simultaneously the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers with a large force, these points, being within 20 miles of the railroad leading from Louisville and Nashville to Memphis, should be occupied by our troops in ordered to maintain our position here.

I have at present for the defense of this fort my own regiment, with an aggregate of 280 men, Captain Taylor's company of artillery, with an aggregate of 50 men. I have repeatedly requested that the company of artillery be recruited to its full strength. In its present condition there are not men enough to work all the guns at the same time and to properly arm the fort. Four 12-pounders are necessary in addition to the guns now here, practicularly if we have to defend it against a land force.

Whether a gunboat can pass Fort Henry desponds greatly upon the skill and efficiency of our gunners. A boat coming within the range of our guns 1 1\2 miles below the fort will get out of their range as soon as it passed the fort, as none of pour guns have a range up the river; their range, too, is unreasonably short for 32-pounders, which must be caused by inferiority of power, and perhaps by the having too much windage.

It the enemy's gunboats hold succeed in passing Fort Henry, two hours' run will take them to Danville, and there is nothing to prevent the destruction of the railroad bridge.

Again I beg leave to call the attention of the general to the indispensable necessity of having a company of cavalry at this post for the purpose of communicating with the railroad and telegraph at Danville, to act as pickets and scouts and scouts in every direction from Fort Henry, that we may be apprised of the enemy's approach either by land or water, and to communicate between this post and Fort Donelson.

The defenses on the Cumberland have so far been almost entirely overlooked. It is true a little for was constructed 1 mile below Dover by my regiment, in which were placed two 32-pounder sea-coast howitzers, which have a very good range down the river, but from the hemmed in position of this work it is entirely worthless.

To hold the place against even a small force would require a great deal of additional work on the crest of a ridge which immediately overlooks this work, culled a fort.

This post was entirely abandoned until within the last few weeks, when it was occupied by three companies lately organized by Lieutenant-Colonel MacGavock, of my regiment, whom I detailed fort that purpose. This force has not yet been armed, except with such guns as they could furnish themselves-mostly shot-guns. As I have learned within the last few days, other companies will be added to this command,to raise it, if possible, to a full regiment.

No artillery force Taylor's company, to instruct such men of the companies there to serve the guns as may be best fitted for that purpose. I have since learned that two more 32-pounders are to placed at that point.