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

HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION, Oakland, Ky., November 13, 1861.

Lieutenant D. G. WHITE, Assistant Adjutant-General:

SIR: I have information this morning direct from the enemy's camp, on Nolin, beyond Munfordville, up to yesterday morning. General Sherman was then there with his main force, and there were no indications of any intention to move. His strength ranges from 15,000 to 20,000. According to rumor, coming from so many sources as to seen credible, there is a Federal force at Litchfield of about 2,000 or 3,000 men. A reconnoitering party of the enemy appeared yesterday in Brownsville. The ferry flats at all the ferries from Mammoth Cave to Houcker's [?], inclusive, were on yesterday moved to the opposite bank of Green River, favoring the idea of a considerable force being in the vicinity. I this morning sent a party of 20 mounted men to that locality, instructed to ford the river and destroy the boats. I have had daily battalion drills since encamping here but no brigade drill. I have no officer who can drill the brigade, and I am not yet fully capable of doing so myself. I am occupied in study of battalion drill, and will undertake to drill the brigade as soon as possible. If convenient, I should be very glad the general commanding the division would, as proposed in your letter of yesterday, come to this place and drill my brigade.

I am, very respectfully,

T. C. HINDMAN, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HOPKINSVILLE, KY., November 13, 1861.

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

SIR: A battalion of Colonel Forest's cavalry having left the vicinity of Fort Donelson for want of forage and encamped on this side of the Cumberland, at Canton, I have made use of them since my communication of the 11th in strengthening my force here, retaining them but for thirty-six hours. The command was distant from me only 25 miles, and being fresh, reached me in good order, Major Kelly in command, with about 300 men. To-day I have sent a small force, under Major Kelly, consisting of his own command, 250 infantry, and one piece of artillery, hoping to catch a force of some 300 from below, who have crossed at Ross' Ferry, on the Cumberland, having in view the capture of a large lot of hogs ready for moving this way, and intended for the agent of the Confederate States at Clarksville (Dr. Blackburn, I think). If I miss them, the move will have a good effect in keeping our people assured and holding the Hessians in check.

An act of Congress allows, upon application of colonels of regiments, the appointment of cadets for the purpose of instructing inexperienced troops. Colonel Gregg has a fine body of men, but has no one to drill them. He desires me toast if the commanding general will permit this in his case; if so, I will nominate for him several that I know who are non-commissioned officers and privates in my old regiment, the Third Kentucky. My command still improved; are getting into their new hospitals.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

LLOYD TILGHMAN, Brigadier-General, C. S. Army.