OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP.XII.

have at convenient points at the earliest day a full supply of proper arms, and for General Anderson and our legislature to have an immediate and perfect understanding, and then the promptest concurrence of action. Let General Anderson at once and in distinct and precise terms inform Union members of the legislature what he desires that body to do, and, it being thus clearly informed, let it proceed to do it. It is no time for the parties to be procrastinating or palavering when they understand each other. General Anderson ought forts and immediately to take military possession of the railroads and telegraphic lines in the State, to be the master of all the communications; that would be a potent signal, that would bring every true Union man in the State to his utmost exertions to give the most execution to such programme as might be agreed upon.

I have given a few views crudely but frankly.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

GARRETT DAVIS.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Louisville, September 17, 1861.

Brigadier General G. H. THOMAS, U. S. A., Commanding Camp Dick Robinson:

GENERAL: Your letter of the 16th instant has just been received. I will send a supply of buck and ball cartridges (at least 100,000) as soon as they arrive; they have been ordered, and will probably reach here to-morrow. In the present imperfect knowledge which we have of the movements of the rebel forces, I can only direct you to guard strictly the passes on the roads leading from Barboursville to Richmond and Mount Vernon, and intercept and arrest any parties who may be going to join the rebels.

I regret that you have not been able to get staff officers. I am in the same condition, and have so far been unsuccessful in my efforts to obtain the necessary staff.

You had better retain the wagons now hired until you receive those required for from Cincinnati.

General Sherman has been sent to secure Muldraugh's Hill, which was occupied yesterday afternoon by some secessionists.

I hope that the Kentuckians will rally now rapidly and in strength. Yours, very respectfully,

ROBERT ANDERSON, Brigadier-General, U. S. Army, Commanding.

INDIANAPOLIS, IND., September 17, 1861.

HonorableO. P. MORTON: A messenger from General Anderson came up this evening, baring a communication to you, saying a crisis in Kentucky's position will probably occur in the next five days, and asking whether he can depend on you for any assistance. I have informed Captain Prime that we have not any regiments fully organized, and if we had, have no arms to give them. It seems to be a matter of the greatest importance. General Anderson thinks Polk and Zollicoffer will both soon invade Kentucky. Cannot General Fremont send a few regiments? Two batteries