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

very first, consequence which I desire to occupy in advance of the enemy. I trust, therefore, you will take prompt measures to inform yourself of the strength and position of the advancing forces, and advise me daily by special messenger and telegraph of your own strength, that I may be able to decide how the troops from Ohio and Indiana now getting ready for the field should be distributed.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

O. M. MITCHELL, Brigadier-General.

CAMP DICK ROBINSON, October 3, 1861.

Captain OLIVER D. GREENE, Assistant Adjutant-General, U. S. Army:

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report to the general commanding the arrival here of the Fourteenth and Thirty-first Ohio Regiments and the Thirty-third Indiana. There are three other regiment at Nicholasville which could have been here to-night if our means of transportation had been sufficient to bring them over. Only one of these regiments has any transportation, the Indiana, and the want of it has embarrassed me very much. Our supply as yet is very limited, and all the mules have to be broken, so that we are embarrassed in that respect also,; but as soon as I can get up enough wagons I propose moving on beyond London and strengthening the position, so as to relieve as much of the country as possible from the depredations of the rebels. The report to-night is that they have again retired, after finding I had got possession of Rockcastle Hills. I shall move with caution, however, but endeavor to drive them out of the Cumberland passes before re-enforcements can reach them. I could move at once if these regiments had been supplied with transportation; but as it is impossible to hire enough in the country, I shall have to wait until I can have it sent to me. A battery of artillery completely equipped would give me a great advantage.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. H. THOMAS, Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.

CAMP WILDCAT, October 3, 1861.

General GEORGE H. THOMAS:

I have no information in regard to the rebels more than I wrote you, except the inclosed order of General Zollicoffer, which I have no doubt is genuine. I could not doubt it, because they carried out the instructions to the letter. I also inclose you a letter directed to HonorableGreen Adams, &c.* The bearer of this letter, Mr. Hurst, is reliable, and was in Tennessee some time since and taken prisoner. The order from Major Cofee, countermanding the blockade of the Madison Fork of the Richmond road, was sent me this evening. If we have one day's notice, which we certainly will have, I can have the road blocked up completely. However, we have been doing and undoingn so much, that you may begin to think we are fickle. I should not have ordered the blockade the second time if it had not have been for General Carter, and he was for carrying out instructions.

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* Not found.

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