Today in History:

179 Series I Volume IV- Serial 4 - Operations in the South and West

Page 179(Official Records Volume 4)  


CHAP.XII.] ADVANCE OF CONFEDERATE INTO KENTUCKY, ETC.

SEPTEMBER 3-12, 1861. - Advance of Confederate Forces into Kentucky; occupation of Columbus, &c.

REPORTS, ETC.

Numbers 1. - Major General Leonidas Polk, C.S. Army, of the occupation of Columbus and Hickman, Ky., September 3, with correspondence and orders.

Numbers 2. - Miscellaneous reports, correspondence, and orders relating to occupation of Columbus and Hickman, and Zollicoffer's advance into Eastern Kentucky.

Numbers 1. Report of Major General Leonidas Polk, C.S. Army, of the occupation of Columbus and Hickman, Ky., September 3, with correspondence and orders.

COLUMBUS, KY., September 11, 1861

I have the honor to inclose to you, by the messenger who takes this the copies of all the correspondence that has taken place between myself and other official persons in regard to the occupation of Columbus, including the dispatches to and from yourself, my dispatch to the Secretary of War in reply to his alone excepted. This has been misplaced, and I have not as yet been able to find it. It will no doubt be found in the War Office.* I have thought it well to have copies of all these papers prepared in the order of their dates for file in the Department, for future reference, as well as to place you in possession of all I have done in the exercise of the discretion with which you intrusted me.

Hoping the measure I have taken may meet the approbation of my Government, I have the honor to be, respectfully, your obedient servant,

L. POLK, Major-General, Commanding

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

[Inclosure A.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT Numbers 2., Memphis, Tenn., September 1, 1861

His Excellency Governor MAGOFFIN, Frankfort, Ky.;

I think it of the greatest importance that I should be well informed of the future plans and policy of the Southern party in Kentucky, so as to shape my own plans accordingly, and I have through it proper to send the bearer, Dr. Fowlks, to Frankfort for conference with you in relation to your policy. The fullest information is desirable, and should be given as early as practicable. I have stated to Dr. Fowlks my wishes and designs and the difficulties that lie in my way, and I think it of the greatest consequence to the Southern cause in Kentucky or elsewhere that I should be ahead of the enemy in occupying Columbus and Paducah.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

L. POLK

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*No inclosures found with this report, but the papers following, marked is inclosures A to M, are undoubtedly some of the papers referred to. The reply to Walker's dispatch of September 5 not found.

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