OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP.XII.

of this, hearing of the crossing near Dyersburg, on the Cumberland, of one of those predatory bands of Garmans (59) from Smithland, continued on towards the Cumberland, came upon their rear retreating. They escaped, losing one man, whom our scouts ran into the river, where he was drowned. The scout commanded by Captain Meriwether, a most valuable man, rendered good service throughout, especially in reassuring our people in a measure, and checking an attempt by the enemy to drive off stock.

I should remark that the beginning of the stampede at Madisonville was occasioned by the arrival, by an unexpected road, of the Jackson Cavalry advance from White Plains. The cry was raised by some one "the rebels are coming." The shock was too violent, as one messenger declared, and they concluded to retire. Upon hearing of this whole movement by the enemy, I promptly sent a courier to the commanding officer at Russellville, requesting him, if practicable, to advance a small force towards Sulphur Lick, and cut off the retreat of any part of their force taking the Greenville road.

Should my force go on improving as it has done in the last few days, I feel satisfied that, which security against a fire in my rear from the Cumberland, I could deal them a heavy blow on Green River. I am collecting by a simple process the means of transportation for my brigade, so that I may be able to act if circumstances permit. I would be glad to have some instructions on this point, so that I may not act too much at variance with the commanding general's views. You will remember that I came without instructions from him, save a verbal one. I have started with this people just a I mean to continue. The community are very bitter, and gave me much trouble at first. I have tightened the screws until I have them in complete control. The Federal troops have arrested many inoffensive Southern men, one of whom was whipped most unmercifully after being taken to Henderson, and then sent to New Your Harbor. I have retaliated so far as the arrest goes, only arresting those, however, who are actively engaged in aiding our enemies. I have been obliged to arrest to-day three of the citizens our enemies. I have been obliged to arrest to-day three of the citizens of this place, who were reported as being actively engaged in arranging with the Union men to rise behind me in case the enemy had advanced upon my position to-day. I shall hold them for a while at any rate.

I neglected to copy my communication before the last, and am not sure that I mentioned to you that, hearing from Nashville that the governor had men in camp, but no arms, I worth to him in my strait here that I could arm 500 from arms I had here. To this he replied yesterday that he would send me the men. May I ask the commanding general's approval of this? The men, I hear, will be here to-morrow. I can arm them well. the scouting parties have been successful in looking up the arms sent here to the Union men. A detachment came in to-day with two full boxes of new percussion muskets, which they dug out of a hole where a notorious character had buried them. With a view to greater efficiency, I have organized all the companies of Kentucky infantry into a battalion, and allowed them to elect, for temporary purposes, a lieutenant-colonel and major. There are nine companies in all, three of whom only have the requisite number authorized by law for a minimum company.The aggregate number is 586. I see not much chance to complete the regiment. It is the same that Colonel Burnett, I believe, was to command, and he does not seem to interest himself much in filling it up. I desire to have instructions particularly on this point. Captain Wilcox, who commands a very good cavalry com-