CHAP.XII.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-CONFEDERATE.
the Ford, and the Fourth Tennessee Regiment, Provisional Army, unarmed, here.
The information is received here, via Pound Gap (which has been forwarded by express to him), that a heavy force was rapidly concentrating at Rockcastle Hills. The were principally from Ohio. One regiment had been unexpectedly thrown forward to London.
I am pressing the fortifications here, and in a few days more will have them in readiness.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
W. M. CHURCHWELL, Colonel Fourth Tennessee Regiment, P. A., Commanding , Post.
HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION WESTERN DEPARTMENT, Columbus, Ky., October 19, 1861.
General A. SYDNEY JOHNSTON, Bowling Green:
GENERAL: I shall in two or three days be so well forward with my work that I shall be at liberty to look around me, if need be. I have sent, as a measure of precaution, one of the Mississippi regiments to Fort Henry. The other, as your have ordered, has gone forward (Thornton's) to Bowling Green. The emergency on the Cumberland was for a day or two so great I feared I should be obliged to stop Thornton's at Dover, but finding companies I could send to Dover, I have let Thornton go forward.
I have sent major Stewart and four artillery officers to drill the companies sent there in artillery drill. They can be relieved in a few days and return. I have also sent forward to Dover and Fort Henry three cavalry companies, and shall send others in a few days. I am informed the fleet of steamers and barges to block up the Cumberland is well on its way, and I hope by this has accomplished its work.
I remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
L. POLK, Major-General, Commanding.
CAMP NEAR HOPKINSVILLE, KY., October 19, 1861.
Brigadier General S. B. BUCKNER, C. S. A.:
SIR: Your dispatch of 17th was not received until the evening of yesterday. At 6 o'clock this morning the detachment moved. I had some difficulty in responding to the call for mounted men, as Captain Meriwether was out on a scouting expedition, and I had as recruits only 27 armed men. My enlisted squads are out recruiting on large promises of arms and men. I sent the 27; enough doubtless. My command, after furnishing nurses for the sick, is reduced to a battalion. It appears that every man in my camp will directly be down with measles. The thought of a movement in my present condition is idle. I am not more than able to patrol the town.
In relation to the movements of the enemy at Eddyville I have reliable information. The gunboat steamed up to the town and steamed back again. A company or squad of 25 cavalry from Smithland marched within 4 miles of Eddyville, took all the double-barreled guns they could find, robbed some women of their jewelry, seized several
