OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP.XII.

NASHVILLE, TENN., November 3, 1861.

Lieutenant Colonel W. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General:

SIR: I have the honor to report my arrival at this place last evening, about 9 o'clock, by way of the Cumberland River. After making a careful examination of the country around Clarskville and the Cumberland River as low down as Line Port, fifteen miles below Fort Donelson, I have now to report as follows, viz: First. The Red River, which empties into the Cumberland just below the town of Clarksville, furnishes the best line of defense for the town and the railroad bridge against any force advancing from the direction of Green River or from landings on the Cumberland River below Fort Donelson. To strengthen this river line (Red River), the fords, one near the Hopkinsville Bridge, one just above the mouth of West Fork (a tributary of Red River), one below the Russellville Bridge,and one a few miles above the last-named bridge, should be destroyed, by feeling trees to from an obstructing jungle, or abatis, and by cutting the banks sos as to make them vertical. These fords are only possible at very low water, and have not been used for many months.

Having obstructed the fords, the tow turnpike bridges and the railroad bridge over Red River can be guarded by two encampments-one just south of the Hopkinsville Bridge, the other between the railroad bridge and the Russelville Bridge. Field pieces should be placed so as to sweep these bridges, or at least the approaches to them. For greater security breast-heights should be thrown up to cover them while used for fixed defense. Wooden platforms would aid much in traversing the guns, which should be kept on their field carriages for facility of movement when necessary.

To prevent our enemy from occupying the high ground just north of Red River and to the left of the Hopkinsville turnpike, we must occupy it ourselves with a body of troops, and for greater security perhaps a small entrenchment ought to be thrown up on top of this hill.

Second. As to the defenses of Cumberland River below Clarksville, they should be at least as low down as Fort Donelson. Our efforts for resisting gunboats should be concentrated there, and to this end Captain Dixon will do everything in his power to hasten forward the works at that point. Line Port, 15 miles below, presents many advantages for defending the river, but as the works at Fort Donelson are partially built, and the place susceptible of a good defense landward, I advised Captain Dixon to retain the position and construct the additional defenses as rapidly as possible. To obstruct the Cumberland at points below Donelson, old barges and flats have been sunk at Ingram's Shoal, a few miles above Eddyville, and at Line Island, 3 miles below Line Port. In all ordinary stages of water the obstructions render the river impassable for gunboats and for any other boats at this time. Such at least is the judgment of Captain Dixon, who superintended the sinking of the barges.

Lieutenant Pickett did not report tot me during my stay at Clarksville, which was from the 25th ultimo to the 29th, and I did not, in consequence, have any one I could placed there to direct to commencement of the work for obstructing the passage of Red River. I have just written fully to Brigadier-General Tilghman, giving him the result of my examinations, and as he has with him Mr. Morris, an intelligent civil engineer, I have advised him to obstruct the fords at once and establish the camps for guarding the bridges. I have, moreover, requested General Tilghman to telegraph me at this place should he wish my presence at Clarksville, and I would join him without delay. Gov-