OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP.XII.

in the direction of Clarksville, with the view of turning the right of General Polk's line of defense, I ordered a division of that command to Clarksville. The battle of Belmont near Columbus intervening delayed the movement of the division, and finally General Polk, his generals concurring, suspended the movement, on the ground that in view of probable movements of the enemy against that position the force called for was necessary there. On the receipt of his telegram announcing that suspension of the movement of the force I reiterated my order for the immediate transfer of the division to his right at Clarksville to re-enforce the force at Hopkinsville. He sends me this morning the following telegram, to wit:

A. S. JOHNSTON:

GENERAL: We are informed beyond a doubt that there are from 20,000 to 25,000 men at Cairo and vicinity, recruits daily arriving, and that their intention is to march on this place immediately. I will nevertheless send on Pillow's division, unless otherwise ordered immediately. I will be left with about 6,000 effective men. Our defenses are unfinished.

L. POLK.

I therefore revoked my order. General Polk's force is stated far below what I have estimated it, and with a knowledge of the case as he presents it I had left but the choice of difficulties-the great probability of defeat at Columbus or the successful advance of the enemy on my left. I have risked the latter. The first would be a great misfortune, scarcely reparable for a long time; the latter may be prevented. I have, however, at Nolin, on my front, about 27 regiments, and a large auxiliary force at Columbia, on my right. The force on my front will not attack here at present; they will await the success of movements on my left. My force must soon be put in motion. I am making every preparation with that object. It has taken much time to provide transportation, which is nearly completed, and all else, for a force suddenly raised. A portion of my force is well armed and instructed; the remainder badly armed, but improving in all other respects. A good spirit prevails throughout.

General Zollicoffer is taking measures to suppress the uprising of the disaffected in Rhea and Hamilton Counties, Tennessee, and if it is true that Williams has retreated through Pound Gap, Marshall could easily suppress the insurrection in Carter, Johnson, and other counties, and then unite his forces with Zollicoffer. The force under Zollicoffer, as everywhere on this line, should be re-enforced; but this you know without my suggestion. The effective force here is 12,500.

With great respect, your obedient servant,

A. S. JOHNSTON, General, C. S. Army.

HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT, Bowling Green, Ky., November 15, 1861.

Brigadier-General CLARK:

GENERAL: I am instructed by General Johnston to say you will proceed to Hopkinsville, in obedience to the orders you have received. Six companies of cavalry, under Colonel Forrest, have been ordered to that point. General Pillow will not take charge of the operations projected on that front.

You will receive no troops from General Polk. A regiment, partially armed by the governor of Tennessee, is, or will be shortly, at Clarks-