OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP.XII.
Colonel Harris, to take position at a place called the Olympian Springs, about 20 miles east of Mount Sterling, in order to close the mountain gorge through which small bands of the enemy are constantly passing to Prestonburg to re-enforce a camp forming at that place. I have General Anderson's authority for sending this regiment to the point already named.
I look upon it as a strategic point of great importance in the contemplated advance towards Cumberland Gap.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
O. M. MITCHELL, Brigadier-General, Commanding.
GENERAL ORDERS,} HDQRS. DEP'T OF THE CUMBERLAND, Numbers 5. } Louisville, Ky., October 7, 1861.
The commanding general learns with deep regret that arrest are being made in some parts of the State upon the slightest and most trivial grounds. He desires the civil authorities and orders the military not to make any arrests except where the parties are attempting to join the rebels or are engaged in giving aid or information to them, and in all cases the evidence must be such as will convict them before a court of justice. In some cases it is understood that the Home Guards have gone into adjoining counties and arrested and carried off parties who have been quietly remaining at home under the expectation that they would not be interfered with, provided that they did nothing in violation of the spirit of the proclamation bearing date of September 24, issued from these headquarters. Some instances are mentioned of persons having been arrested and taken out of the State.
This is all contrary to what the commanding general has declared to be his wish, and he trusts it will not be repeated.
It is believed that many of those who at one time sympathized with rebellion are desirous of returning to their allegiance and wish to remain quietly at home attending to their business. A conciliatory, fair course pursued towards such persons will join them to our cause; the reverse may force them into the ranks of our enemies.
The commanding general entreats and urges his fellow-citizens to discountenance and endeavor to put a stop to these ill-timed and unlawful arrests, and to aid him in keeping peace among ourselves.
By command of Brigadier-General Anderson:
OLIVER D. GREENE, Assistant Adjutant-General.
GENERAL ORDERS, } HDQRS. DEP'T OF THE CUMBERLAND, Numbers 6. } Louisville, Ky., October 8, 1861.
The following telegraph order was received yesterday at the headquarters:
WASHINGTON, D. C., October 6, 1861.
Brigadier-General ANDERSON:
To give you rest necessary to restoration of health, call Brigadier-General Sherman to command the Department of the Cumberland. Turn over to him your instructions, and report here in person as soon as you may without retarding your recovery.
WINFIELD SCOTT.
In obedience to the above orders, I hereby relinquish the command of the department to Brigadier-General Sherman.
