CHAP.XII.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-CONFEDERATE.
the works at Fort Pillow. The whole militia of the west end of the State should be called out and placed at Fort Pillow. Answer.
GID. J. PILLOW, Brigadier-General, C. S. Army, Commanding.
HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, WESTERN DEPARTMENT, Columbus, Ky., November 17, 1861.
Governor PETTUS, Jackson, Miss.:
Immense numbers of the enemy are gathering on my front. Our position is a strong one, and we will fight it to the last extremity; but from the very weak force in my rear about Union City my flank is without protection, and I anticipate being entirely surrounded and cut off from the country south as probable. I have called upon the governor of Tennessee to call out the militia of West Tennessee to garrison Fort Pillow and to protect the open country upon the flank about Union City. In this emergency, if you can send up any re-enforcements, now is the time to do it. We have four regiments without arms. Answer.
GID. J. PILLOW, Brigadier-General, C. S. Army, Commanding.
NASHVILLE, November 18, 1861.
HonorableJ. P. BENJAMIN:
I beg that no time may be lost in forwarding the Enfield rifles. My present necessity is very urgent. If sabers can be spared I have some good cavalry much in need. I am here to-day on business, making arrangements with the governor to call out all the effective force of the State. I return to Bowling Green to-morrow.
A. S. JOHNSTON, General.
NASHVILLE, November 18, 1861.
HonorableJ. P. BENJAMIN:
General Pillow, in command at Columbus, urges the necessity of an immediate large re-enforcement of troops to furnish a garrison at Fort Pillow and to add to his force at Columbus. He has information upon which he relies that large bodies of troops are accumulating at Cairo to attack him.
A. S. JOHNSTON, General, C. S. Army.
COLUMBUS, KY., November 18, 1861.
HonorableJ. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War:
It is of the utmost importance that I should have a quartermaster and commissary attached to my staff. I nominate, as I have already done, Mr. Thomas Peters as quartermaster, Mr. John J. Murphy as commissary, each with the rank of major. The efficiency of the service requires these appointments. Please answer.
L. POLK, Major-General.
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