CHAP.XII.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-CONFEDERATE.
HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT,
Bowling Green, October 29, 1861.
Brigadier-General TIGHMAN, Hopkinsville:
The enemy have crossed Green River at Morgantown and Woodbury certainly; with what force it is not known. Be on the alert and gain and sent information.
W. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT,
Bowling Green, October 29, 1861.
Major-General HARDEE, Commanding First Division:
SIR: General Johnston wishes to have General Hindman move within reach of support of this army corps. You will thereupon order him to draw back his entire force, cavalry included, from Green River to a position to within 8 or 10 miles of this place, at which distance from this it is supposed good water can be obtained.
Let his cavalry encamp with his min body where he takes up his position. He should place a strong picket of cavalry, throwing forward vedettes in twos in front of his advance guard, which should be strongly posted under a mile in advance of the main body. Scouts should be sent out daily to watch all the approaches to his camp.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS CAMP ALCORN,
Hopkinsville, Ky., October 29, 1861.
Colonel W. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General, &c., Bowling Green:
SIR: I lose not a moment in communication through you to the general commanding the Western District the condition of affairs at this post. I had hoped that the picture sketched to of matters here might not have been realized, but I am compelled to think it not too highly colored. Under all the circumstances, I doubt not General Alcorn has made the best of things, his camp being merely one hare hospital, with scarce men enough on duty to care for the sick and maintain a feeble guard around them, with insufficient pickets at prominent points. Over one-half the entire command are on the sick list, with very grave types os different diseases. Those remaining and reported for duty have not enough really well men to do more than first states. The Kentucky Battalion of Infantry, numbering 547, have only 45 cases reported sick. The measles have made their appearance, and the battalion will average 20 new cases per day judging from to-day's report. The morning brigade report, herewith inclosed, shows only 716 for duty out of a total of 2,237. Of this number, you will see that the Kentucky Battalion furnishes 376, one-third of whom only are armed, with no equipments.
Of cavalry we have nothing to count on, save Captain Meriwether's company of untutored recruits. Captain Huey's company of cavalry is entirely unarmed. Captain Wilcox's company not yet recovered from the Eddyville affair.
