CHAP.XII.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.- UNION.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Louisville, Ky., September 23, 1861.

Brigadier General GEORGE H. THOMAS, Commanding Camp Dick Robinson:

GENERAL: By the direction of the general I write to say that for the present he can afford you no assistance as you required. Louisville is very strongly threatened, and until that point is out of danger he can send no re-enforcements to you.

He considers your views of the emergency as eminently just and proper, and nothing would afford him greater pleasure than to aid you will all the re-enforcements you ask if it was possible. Until he can send them (which he hopes will be very soon), he trusts you will be able to hold your position.

The general directs me to say that he gives his cordial approval to your course in occupying the asylum at Harrodsburg with the Home Guards.

You are fully authorized to contract for the subsistence of the men, in any detachment you may send out, in the manner you think most desirable. You are also authorized to contract for clothing and tents, in amount equal to your necessities, at any point where they can be obtained.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

OLIVER D. GREENE, Assistant Adjutant-General.

ESTILL SPRINGS, September 23, 1861.

General GEORGE H. THOMAS, Brigadier-General, U. S. Army, Commanding Camp Robinson:

DEAR SIR: Yours of the 23rd instant, directing me to hold my main body at Irvine, &c., is received. We encamped here yesterday with two full companies raised in this county, and we are looking for another from Owsley County this evening; also one from Jackson County. Other companies are forming in this and other counties I learn. I have several companies in Camp Robinson who propose to join my regiment. Will it be inconsistent or incompatible for me to ask to permit them to be sent here? I hope not. We need blankets, tents, and other camp equipage, and guns, and I know we ought to have them right away.

Great activity in the counties around on the part of the secessionists. Our people are recruiting rapidly. I have house room at my place (Estill Springs), adjacent to Irvine, to lodge several companies and officers, but we can't do without blankets. Straw is the best we can do, and the use of it makes it dangerous on account of fire, &c.

Samuel Gill, of military board, ordered or directed me to use my houses for quarters for men and officers until further orders, stating that he had full conversation with General Anderson, and that it met his entire approbation; but for this, and other information from reliable sources, I would have sent my men forward to your camp. A camp at my place will greatly facilitate enlistments for the Government and hold the secessionists in check.

Can't we have some cavalry for scouts sent us? They are greatly needed, and will be more so very soon. Quick work. Blankets, tents, guns, &c., will help us and give our people confidence. More depends