[CHAP.XII. OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE.

HEADQUARTERS, CAMP ALCORN,

November 2, 1861-7 a. m.

Brigadier General S. B. BUCKNER, Commanding Division, &c., Bowling Green:

SIR: I return Lieutenant Graves to your command, an hope to see Mr. Dunlap very soon. I do not use Lieutenant Graves, inasmuch as he is out od health, but principally because I desire the officer taking charge of the company to be permanent in his place. Again, I desire him to return promptly, in order that you may be better posted as to my condition here. You will have some idea of it when I tell that in endeavoring to get up a little command last evening to move on Princeton, I found that the First Mississippi had 151 for duty, the Third 128. Out of these, guards and pickets had to be taken, giving me only 100 men from each regiment, haled of when were really unfit for the night march (raining in torments). I managed, however,to get together 400 men and two pieces artillery, the poorest clair, should, and armed body I over saw, but full of enthusiasm. I sent found that half the infantry were so unfit, that the surgeon stated that humanity demanded they should not go.

I was relieved by a courtier from my embarrassment and delayed until this morning, when a second courier relieved me entirely, by stating that the enemy had turned off from Princeton and [were] making northward. This morning I learn again that they have retired again (as their gunboats have done) towards the month of the river. You may therefore confider me relieved of the pressure for a few days.

EIGHT A. M.

I send you Colonel Machen's note. Have just received telegram of the re-enforcement of Texas for me. I shall get my sick to Clarksville and hold on here. Shall behind to sent the sick so soon as the weather permits. I still need cavalry, and must have them; 500 good men will be worth more to me and the cause in the next two weeks than I can well explain. You see I am still urgent. I trust you will endeavor to have this done. Will write again at noon to-day. I write, as the stage wants, of course in great haste.

Respectfully, yours,

LLOYD TIGHMAN, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

[Inclosure.]

PRINCETON, KY., November 1, 1861.

General LLOYD TILGHMAN:

DEAR SIR: I proceeded yesterday in the direction of the supposed fortification on Cumberland. When with about 12 miles of the point I met the citizens of the country fleeing from their homes, within terrible rumors of a Northern army marching through the country in the direction of Hopkinsville from some point on the river, but could gather nothing reliable from any source, except that the Southern troops had left, carrying off their cannon. I remained until night in that region, and then turned of this point. Here I learn that they had obstructed the river at Ingram's Shoals and had re-embarked their guns and gone up the river. The fun boat come up tho the obstruction and fired a good many heady guns, but for what purpose not known. She left and went down below Eddyville, and possibly out of the river. She is a new boat, and has the appearance of being much more formidable than those here