CHAP.XII.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-CONFEDERATE.
ernor Harris is absent from Nashville at this time, and will not return for two or three days. Will you please to send me written authority to employ negro labor for throwing up defenses at Nashville, Clarksville, and Fort Donelson, as well as at all other points where defensive works may be found necessary; also for the purchase of entrenching tools.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. F. GILMER, Major, and Chief Engineer Western Department.
HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION, Rocky Hill Station, November 3, 1861-11 p. m.
Lieutenant D. G. WHITE, Assistant Adjutant-General:
SIR: Reconnoitering parties sent by me to Glasgow, Cave City, and Brownsville returned to-day. They report no Yankee force actor near either of those places. Citizens stated to them that the enemy's scouts had been seen at the mouth of Nolin River and at Horse Cave; that 1,000 Federal cavalry had crossed Green River at Munfordville, and that General Ward had moved to Columbia with an army of 7,000 men. I inclose a rough diagram of the approaches to this post. All the roads marked may be traversed by an army except the one leading from here southeasterly to the Glasgow road and Bowling Green road. My cavalry pickets are posted at Chalybeate Springs, Roundtree's, Bell's, and Merry Oaks, thrown towards the ford below Brownsville, towards Brownsville, Mammoth Cave, Cave City, and Glasgow. Infantry pickets are posted at Jamison's, thrown both ways upon the pike, and towards Brownsville, and at Creeok's Mill, thrown towards Glasgow. Pickets are also stationed at commanding points all around the encampment.
The inclement weather prevalent since my arrival here, in connection with the extremely heavy guard duty required and the ill condition of the troops as to clothing and equipments, has greatly weakened my force. I am without medicines, and have not half the proper number of surgeons. The morning reports of to-day show my effective force to be as follows: Infantry: 70 officers, 163 non-commissioned officers, 1,088 privates; cavalry: 25 officers, 59 non-commissioned officers, 396 privates; artillery: 4 officers, 13 non-commissioned officers, 49 privates. Aggregate, 1,867.
In my opinion this force is not sufficient, especially when it is considered that it is largely reduced daily by sickens.
Very respectfully,
T. C. HINDMAN, Brigadier-General, Commanding.
WYTHEVILLE, November 3, 1861.
HonorableJ. P. BENJAMIN, Acting Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.:
DEAR SIR: Per request of Major Hawes, I inclose his letter just received by messenger returned, whom I had sent with ammunition. I have forwarded all the ammunition received from Richmond, also 1,000 pounds of buck-shot and 3,000 bars lead. I forwarded to Major Hawes, as per your request, information in regard to the two regiments, &c. I hope to be able to furnish the transportation as fads as required.
Respectfully,
WM. GIBBONEY, Assistant Quartermaster.
