OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP.XII.

could get a number of the citizens to turn out and unite with such men as I could mount, but when I started my men, after a delay far beyond the hour appointed, there were but six of them to be found. The party, 21 altogether, is too small to effect much, and [I] fear will be able to bring back but little information.

Up to Monday there was no considerable body of troops in Greenville. No troops at all have been stationed there, but scouting parties of from 25 to 75 men are almost daily sent into the place and several miles south of it. The force of Calhoun is large, by report 6,000 to 10,000 and a considerable body-2,000 infantry and 300 cavalry-is reported to have been moved in a south warmly direction. They have recruited largely from the second Congressional district, and calhoun has no doubt been their place of rendezvous. There is no doubt that cavalry has been passed from some point to Pond River Bridge, and perhaps a larger force than stated above. My information as to scouting parties scouring Mecklenburg County and coming south of Greenville is reliable.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

THOS. H. HUNT, Colonel, Commanding Fifth Kentucky Regiment.

WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, November 12, 1861.

J. G. M. RAMSEY, Esq., Knoxville, Tenn.:

SIR: I have had the honor to receive, through the President, your letter of the 4th instant.

The condition of East Tennessee is not unknown to the Confederate Government, and the safety of that section of our country, now threatened by the approach of the enemy, engages already our most earnest solicitude. No measure of precaution within our command shall be neglect, and the loyal citizens of East Tennessee may rest assured that every energy of the Government shall be exerted in their behalf and for the common cause in Tennessee, but it is impossible to withdrawn General Elzey's brigade at this time from the front of the enemy. The measures which have been taken in other directions for your defense will, I trust, convince you that this is unnecessary.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. P. BENJAMIN, Acting Secretary of War.

RICHMOND, November 12, 1861.

General HUMPHREY MARSHALL, Witheville, Va.:

Your telegram of yesterday received. You must act according to your best judgment, on the most reliable information you have, without regard to my dispatch of yesterday.

S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General.

JEFFERSONVILLE, November 12, 1861-10 a. m.

Adjutant-General S. COOPER, Richmond:

SIR: I am this moment in receipt of your dispatch of the 11th, suggesting that "Trigg's regiment had better be kept back until you (I)