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

Metcalf. These troops were on the road near Hazel Green and West Liberty, advancing towards Prestonburg.

Upon an inspection of the map you will observe these are all divergent lines, but rendered necessary from the fact that our enemies in the State chose them as places of refuge from pursuit and there cluster to receive the assistance of neighboring States. Our lines are all too week, probably, with the exception of that of Prestonburg. To strengthen them I am thrown on the raw levies of Ohio and Indiana, who arrive in detachments perfectly fresh from the country and loaded down with baggage; also upon the Kentuckians, who are slowly forming regiments all over the State at points remove from danger, and whom it will be an almost impossible task to assemble together. The organization of this latter force is by the laws of Kentucky under the control of a military board at the capital (Frankfort) and they think they will be enable to have 15 regiments towards the middle of this month, but I doubt it, and deem it unsafe to rely on them.

There are four regiments forming in the neighborhood of Owensborough, near the mouth of Green River, who are doing good service; also in the neighborhood of Cambellsville, but it is unsafe to rely on troops so suddenly armed and equipped. They are not yet clothed or uniformed. I know well you will think our force too widely distributed, but we are forced to it by the attitude of our enemies, whose force and numbers the country never has and probably never will comprehend. I am told that my estimate of troops needed for this line, viz, 200,000, has been construed to my prejudice, and therefore leave it for the future. This is the great center, on which our enemies can concentrate whatever force is not employed elsewhere.

Detailed statements of present force inclosed with this.

With great respect, your obedient servant,

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

[Inclosure.]

CAMP AT NOLIN, KY.

Brigadier-General McCook, commanding.

FIRST BRIGADE.

Brigadier-General Rosseau, commanding.

Sixth Indiana, Colonel Crittenden.

Fifth Kentucky, Colonel Buckley.

Sixth Kentucky, Colonel Whittaker.

Second Kentucky Cavalry, Colonel Board.

Fifteenth U. S. Inf. (2 cos.), Captain Gilman.

Nineteenth U. S. Inf. (2 cos.), Captain Gilman.

Stone's Battery.

SECOND BRIGADE.

Brigadier-General Wood, commanding.

Twenty-ninth Indiana, Colonel Miller.

Thirtieth Indiana, Colonel Bass.

Thirty-eighth Indiana, Colonel Scribner.

Thirty-ninth Indiana, Colonel Harrison.

THIRD BRIGADE.

Brigadier-General Johnson, commanding.

Thirty-fourth Illinois, Colonel Kirk.

Thirty-second Indiana, Colonel Willich.

Fifteenth Ohio, Colonel Dickey.

Forty-ninth Ohio, Colonel Gibson.

FOURTH BRIGADE.

Brigadier-General Negley, commanding.

Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania, Colonel Stumbaugh.

Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania, Colonel Sirwell.

Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania, Colonel Hambright.

Mueller's Battery.

Cotter's Battery.