OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [Chap.XII.

River has the appearance of the bayous in the southern countries. The fords are marked upon the map.

Newburg is the next shipping point below Blood River; at this place there is also a ferry. Callowaytown is next below Newburg. There is also a ferry at this point. There is a large public road from Murray to Callowaytown. Highland is then reached. A large road communicates from this place to the Murray road (see map). Highland evidently received its name from the height of the river bank, which is said to be ten feet above the highest water mark. A "towhead," as it is called, or an island, commences at this point and extends down the river nearly a mile. At very low water the sand bar is visible considerably above this place, and therefore the river is very wide and shallow. The channel, as you will see from the map, is almost against the shore at Highland, and boats are obliged to land low down stream when descending the river, on account of the channel being so narrow. The bank is heavily timbered. This two-head extends to Aurora.

The largest and most public road in the country reaches the river at Aurora, at which place there is a steam ferry-boat, used to ferry a stage line, under the employ of the United States Government, carrying the United States mail from Canton to Mayfield, & c. The crossing was formerly accomplished by means of buoy-boats, the buoys being held in their places by anchors and a cable chain. The chain has never been removed, and therefore is still in the water. The conductor of the ferry says it is over three-quarters of a mile long, and is situated on the west side of the island. This chain is sufficiently long to extend three times across the river.

In case a masked battery was desirable, I think there is no point on the river more suitable than between Highland and Aurora. The chain could be made very useful in impeding the progress of boats, or, if necessary, is long enough to span the narrow channel a great many times, and by cutting the timber above, which is mostly oak, could completely blockade the river. The hills are near enough to command the river and a small creek affords a fine traverse from the river bank.

There being no road near to and down the river from Aurora, I determined to take the main road to Mayfield, and learn the position of the enemy's pickets from General Cheatham. When I reached Wadesborough I learned that General Cheatham has moved his command from Mayfield westward towards Columbus. Therefore I concluded to return to Fort Henry via Murray and Concord. There is considerable sameness in the character of the country from the fort to Aurora. The country is undulating from the river to Wadesborough, and from Wadesborough to a point half way between Murray and Concord, where the hills of Blood River commence. Upon the map the large roads are indicated by two parallel lines and the space included colored yellow.

The party was very hospitably treated by every one with whom they stopped. I am indebted to Mr. Sam. Coleman for a great deal of information in reference to the roads and the character of the country. He was formerly a surveyor of Calloway County, and could tell me by very little reflection the squares through which roads passed and in what squares all the roads intersected. Mr. William M. Smith is also well acquainted with the country and was of great service to me.

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Hoping the report of this short survey may meet your approbation, allow me to subscribe myself, yours, most respectfully,

F. R. R. SMITH, Lieutenant Engineers, S. P. A.