OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP.XII.

CLARKSVILLE, November 7, 1861.

General A. SIDNEY JOHNSTON, Bowling Green:

SIR: I hope you will not consider me importunate, but the condition of things at Fort Donelson demands immediate attention. There are there about 800 cavalry and 500 infantry, and great want of organization and drill. They have not men enough to form a regiment, and no sort of order prevails. Some of the cavalry might be transferred to Tilghman, and five more companies of infantry ought to be sent there (to Donelson), so as to organize a regiment immediately. Captain Sugg's Company, now ready to march, already sworn in and armed, can go to Donelson at any moment. There is another company at Camp Cheatham, Dr. J. B. Walton, commander, could also be transferred there. They have no arms, but are sworn in the service. Three other companies can be organized in a few days if proper energy is used.

The guns at Donelson are wholly unprotected, as they were at the date of my last letter, and will probably remain so till the regiment is organized and some one is in command who will push on the work to completion. Captain Dixon is ready and willing tower, but he is not sustained. I strongly urge that Sugg's and Walton's companies be ordered immediately to Donelson, and the regiment be put in an organized condition as soon as possible. The abatis is finished at Donelson, but no work done to protect the guns. The abatis is finished at Donelson, but no work done to protect the guns. They are in a very exposed condition, for we learn the enemy's gunboats have passed the place on the river where Captain Harrison sunk the barges. They constitute an ineffectual blockaded, as our board here are advised.

Truly, your obedient servant,

G. A. HENRY.

HOPKINSVILLE, KY., November 7, 1861.

Colonel W. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General, Bowling Green:

SIR: The completeness of the artillery arm is so difficult to obtain that I have sent Lieutenant Dunlap to Clarksville and on to Nashville and Bowling Green, with a view to looking into the condition of the battery being sent forward from Nashville.

Captain Griffith, commanding a battery, has arrived at Clarksville, but in a very incomplete condition; thus six pieces, with harness for four teams; about ten rounds of fixed ammunition to each gun, and none of the et ceteras. Lieutenant Baxter, with 60 men and no guns, is at Clarksville. Lieutenant Dunlap is instructed to make requisition for everything to furnish completely two batteries, and I beg you will favor the application. You will have received the report to a board ordered to examine the pieces of artillery now here. I desire that they be replaced at once by new pieces. I repeat the request, that the general commanding allow me to draw from the deports at Nashville and Memphis for all supplies until I equip my command. I will confine myself strictly to what is allowable by regulations. I am preparing pay rolls for communication, clothing, money, and unless the depots can supply me with clothing I will have my own quartermaster to have them made. I need funds for quartermaster's department for purchase of wagons, mules, harness, forage, and horses for artillery commands. The estimate will go forward to-day. I am purchasing, and promise to pay as long as funds can be had. The estimate for commissary department goes for-