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

Page 471(Official Records Volume 4)  


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

He now directs you to send forward your command, now armed and organized, to Knoxville, as fast as possible, and have the detachments reported to General Zollicoffer as fast as they arrive at that point.

You will remain in charge of the organization of the remainder of your forces and superintendence of their movements or proceed with the advance of your command, as the interests of the force prepared and unprepared may require.

The general has seen your requisition for clothing, made on Quartermaster Stevenson. He regrets he could not have it filled. Only half the number of blankets called for bayou are in store,s object to his order, for the whole of the command. A large stock on which his quartermaster counted has been diverted by the Government. He now, having shown you his deficiency in theirs article (and in all others the deficiency is great), begs you to limit your call to the most absolute wants of your men. He has himself, when similarly situated, found the advance of requiring the captains when the men asked for clothing to examine into their condition, and compare that condition with the state of clothing in the company, and supply those most in want.

I am, sir very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. CENTRAL DIVISION OF KENTUCKY,

Bowling Green Ky., October 22, 1861.

SIR: You will proceed with the detachment of cavalry under your command to take post at or near the village of Woodbury, at the confluence of Barren and Green Rivers. The object of your expedition are to prevent the formation of encampments of the enemy at that point; to intercept information on its way to the enemy; to collect information which may be useful to our, and generally to cover the left flank of the position at Bowling Green. Your station will be in close proximity to a country whose inhabitants are hostile to us in feeling, but you are instructed not to molest any citizen unless he may in some form assume a hostile attitude towards you, either by taking up arms, by actually inducing others to do so, r by giving information to the enemy. You will watch the village of Morgantown on your left very closely. It is probably there may be a hostile assemblage at that point. Should there be, you will break it up if you have the strength to do so. You will encourage the citizens in your vicinity to bring their con and provision to this market. You will use great vigilance to prevent being surprised, and will make daily reports by couriers to these headquarters. Endeavor to establish communications with the country beyond Green River and down Green River, with a view of learning every movement of the enemy.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. B. BUCKNER, Brigadier-General, C. S. Army.

HEADQUARTERS,

Cave City, October 23, 1861.

Colonel W. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General, Bowling Green:

COLONEL: In compliance with your order of the 21st instant, I have the honor to forward the information asked for.