OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP.XII.

enemy. From the information I had yesterday of the approach of the Federal forces, and the small force here and the uncertainty of being re-enforced in time, I sent the most valuable stores at Jamestown to Mr. Bledsoe, 18 miles on the road to Pikesville, under a guard. I am here at this camp, having fallen timbers in the other approaches, determined, if the enemy should present himself here, to annoy them and retard their advance to the last.

Since writing the above a messenger has arrived with reports from Monticello, with information that there are no forces of the enemy below Monticello, and perhaps none nearer than Camp Goggin, except their pickets. I had a note from Colonel Murray this evening, informating me that he would be up here in day or so. I would again suggest, if we have the forces, we should move into Kentucky from this point. Let me hear from you.

Yours, truly, GEO. R. McCLELLAN, Lieutenant-Colonel.

HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, WESTERN DEPARTMENT, Columbus, Ky., November 6, 1861.

His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS, President C. S. A.:

SIR: You will remember with what reluctance I consented to accept the commission of major-general in the Provisional Army. You will remember also that the considerations inducing my acceptance were the duty which I felt I owed the country at whose hands I had received a military education, in connection with the difficulty of your finding a commander to whom you were willing to intrust the department you wished to assign to me. These considerations, supported by the conviction that "resistance to tyrants is duty to God," warranted my turning aide from employments far more congenial to my feelings and tastes to devote myself for the time to the military service of the country.

I have been in that service now more than four months, and have devoted myself with untiring constancy to the duties of my office, with what efficiency and success the country must judge.

Within the last few weeks you have been able to avail yourself of a distinguished military commander, our mutual friend, who was not in the country at the date of my appointment, upon whom you have devolved, partly at my instance, the duties of the office I consented to fill.

It will be agreed, I believe, upon all hands, that a more judicious selection could not have been made, and that his military knowledge and experience will supply all that was needed. I have been willing to remain as second in command until the fortifications at Fort Pillow and this very important point were completed. This has now been substantially accomplished, and I feel that, as the necessity which induced me to take office no longer exists, and as the other general officers with whom I have been associated are men of ability and experience, I may be permitted to retire and resume my former pursuits.

I beg leave, therefore, to tender to you my resignation of my commission as major-general of the Provisional Army of the Confederate States.

I remain, respectfully, your obedient servant,

L. POLK, Major-General, Commanding.