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

COLUMBUS, OHIO, September 26, 1861.

HonorableSIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War:

The urgent call for troops in Kentucky compels me to send six or eight regiment before their organization is entirely completed. They have the men and arms and are ready for service, but owing to the want of mustering officers many of the muster rolls are unfinished, and the field and staff and many of the company officers have not been mustered in, and under your order Numbers 66 cannot take command and draw pay. This will create great embarrassment, unless you authorize me to give in all such cases effective commission of proper date.

W. DENNISON, Governor of Ohio.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Louisville, Ky., September 26, 1861.

Brigadier General W. T. SHERMAN, Commanding at Elizabethtown:

GENERAL: The general directs me to say that, as the ten days of the Home Guard will expire on Saturday evening, he suggests the importance of arranging for your rear guard.

He thinks that Colonel Crittenden's portion of a regiment would probably be the most available for that purpose, but he leaves it with you to decide.

The postmaster here informs me that there is a large amount of mail matter in the office here for your command. He says if you will send in some properly authorized person the mails will be turned over to him, put up in packages for the different regiments. The general suggests the appointment of some competent person to some in here as often as you may deem desirable.

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

OLIVER D. GREENE, Assistant Adjutant-General.

MAYSVILLE, KY., September 26, 1861.

General GEORGE H. THOMAS, Camp Dick Robinson, Bryantsville:

DEAR SIR: I inclose herewith a copy of the instructions under which I purchased the mules. I thought that I sent it to you before.

These mules were to be purchased because of the political effect it would have, and these instructions were issued at my instance.

I think that I wrote you that Morgan Vance, of Harrodsburg, would indicate the persons from whom the balance of the mules were to be taken.

Very truly,

W. NELSON.

[Inclosure.]

WAR DEPARTMENT, August 29, 1861.

Lieutenant W. NELSON, U. S. N., Camp Dick Robinson, near Bryantsville, Ky.:

SIR: Understanding that you may need 600 mules of the largest class for purpose of transportation, you are authorized by the Department to purchase them at a price not to exceed $125 each, to average fifteen hands high.