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303 Series I Volume IV- Serial 4 - Operations in the South and West

Page 303(Official Records Volume 4)  


are insufficient, but our adversaries are no better off, and we should fight with similar means. Can you hire some wagons and show a force in the direction of London? Of necessity I cannot give minute directions, and can only say that if your men simply move, the effect will be good.

Yours,

W. T. SHERMAN, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

CINCINNATI, October 11, 1861.

HonorableTHOMAS A. SCOTT, Assistant Secretary of War:

General Cameron [Secretary of War] has placed me in command of the force at Camp Dick Robinson, Central Kentucky, and has ordered preparation for an immediate advance towards Cumberland Gap. I have no division staff except a medical director. Am I at liberty to name an adjutant-general with the rank of colonel, a division quartermaster with the same rank, an inspector-general with same rank; commissary, chief engineer, aides, with the rank of captain? Where can I obtain money? Please answer, as I am ordered to act with the greatest promptitude.

O. M. MITCHEL, Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS CAMP DICK ROBINSON, Garrard County, Kentucky, October 11, 1861.

Brigadier General O. M. MITCHEL, Commanding Department of the Ohio, Cincinnati, Ohio:

GENERAL: Your communication of the 10th instant was received to-day at the hands of Governor Johnson, of Tennessee.

I have been doing all in my power to prepare the troops for a move on Cumberland Ford and to seize the Tennessee and Virginia Railroad, and shall continue to do all I can to assist you until your arrival here; but justice to myself requires that I ask to be relieved from duty with these troops, since the Secretary has thought it necessary to supersede me in the command, without, as I conceive, any just cause for so doing.

I have already sent one regiment forward, and shall send the others as soon as I can get the transportation. It was my desire to have advanced two regiments and a battery about 6 miles beyond London, to secure the road to Barboursville and to protect a large tract of country abounding in forage, but pu to this time have not been able to get the transportation.

I have also been very much embarrassed in my operations from the want of funds, not having received any since my arrival here, nearly a month ago. I hope the Government will be more liberal with you.

I am, general, respectfully, &c., your obedient servant,

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

CAMP KENTON, October 11, 1861.

General THOMAS, Commanding Camp Dick Robinson:

SIR: I inclose herewith the copy of a letter received this afternoon from Colonel Harris, of the Second Ohio Regiment, at Camp Gill, at the