Chap.XII.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. - CONFEDERATE.

said line, and the railroads leading from this place and from Paducah to Union City.

Your attention will be specially directed - 1st. To the selection of a suitable place in an advanced position for an entrenched camp, covering the Paducah and the Mobile Railroads, and forming also a part of the line from Columbus to Fort Henry, on the Tennessee. Looking at the map, Milburn or Mayfield would seem to fill the conditions of the problem; but it is understood that a want of water at both these places forbids the establishment of a camp at either, and that therefore the point must fall south of this line.

2nd. To the thorough reconnaissance of the roads leading from the front to the camp and the communications of the camp with the Mississippi and Tennessee Rivers.

3rd. The practicability of the country for cavalry and artillery.

Your particular attention is called to the supply of water. It is understood that this section of the country is badly watered, and in summer almost destitute, and though you may find water in abundance after the recent rains, you must inquire carefully as to the state of the streams and springs during the dry season, as the necessity for the camp may be as great during the coming summer as for the present winter.

The camp must, if possible, be convenient to wood for fuel and for bivouac, and for economy of transportation as near the Paducah Railway as practicable. Be particular to obtain from the people of the country the names of the roads, and let these appear on your map. You are authorized to employ guides and to give them a certificate of pay due for services, to be paid by the quartermaster at this post.

The object of your expedition will not be communicated to others.

I am, sir, very respectfully,

WM. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General.

NASHVILLE, TENN., September 30, 1861.

HonorableJ. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War:

On 25th was ordered to send 100 barrels powder to New Orleans and 50 to Mobile as soon as I could. I replied that the amount called for was not on hand. Received no answer till to-day. On 27th General Johnston ordered two tons to be shipped to Columbus, Ky., which was done, leaving one ton here. I can ship this one ton of cannon and two tons of damaged rifle powder to New Orleans and Mobile if desired.

Reply.

M. H. WRIGHT, Lieutenant Artillery, & c.

[For a return of General Polk's command, September 30, 1861, see Vol. III of this series, p. 712.]

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Camp Buckner, October 1, 1861.

General S. COOPER, Adjutant-General, Richmond, Va.:

SIR: Information believed to be reliable reaches me to-day that a part of the enemy's force from Camp Dick Robinson, in Garrard County, Kentucky, is advancing in this direction, and that two regiments are

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