A. H. Foote to W. T. Scott, September 24, 1861

I send by express some grape and canister. I believe you are in as much danger at Lexington as here. General Thomas, I hope, wil! send youre-enforcements. If he does not, telegraph to me, and I must return. Give me anything that occurs. Be watchful—vigilant.

GENERAL ORDERS, Hpers. DEPT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Le UNO. 1, j Louisville, Ky., September 24, 1861. In obedience to instructions from the War Department the undersigned assumes command of the Department of the Cumberland, composed of the States of Kentucky and Tennessee. * E * * * * * * *

ROBERT ANDERSON, Brigadier-General, U. S. Army.

OWENSBOROUGH, September: 25, 1861. Major-General FRÉMONT, i Commanding Western Army, Kaint Louis : GENERAL: Agreeably to your orders, per telegram of the 22d inst., and further instructions from General Grant, commanding at Cairo, to proceed to Owensborough with the gunboats for the purpose of keeping

* The records show that Anderson was exercising this command as early as September 4, 1861. 18 R R—VOL IV

E ee A the Ohio River open and to dislodge the rebels supposed to have been in possession of that place, I proceeded to Paducah, on the morning of the 23d, in the steamer Bee, before the gunboat Lexington, Commander Stembel, was ready to leave Cairo, for the purpose of calling on General Smith, and having the gunboat Conestoga, Lieutenant-Commander Phelps, ready, on the arrival of the Lexington, to accompany me up theriver. On arriving at Paducah, I ascertained from General Smith that the Conestoga had gone on a short cruise. Consequently, on the arrival of the Lexington, I immediately proceeded with her alone up the river, taking with us the steamer Bee, as the water was low and the river falling, that we might have the means, if grounding, of getting afloat more readily. I also sent the Bee up the Cumberland River

anchor and lie over till 8 a. m., when, in company with the Bee and she towing us, we proceeded up the river to Evansville, from whence I telegraphed you at 11 p. m. This morning (25th) we reached Owensborough; found no batteries, but were boarded by Colonel MeHenry, who, with Colonel Hawkins, had each a skeleton Kentucky regiment, which had arrived the morning previous. I sent for the authorities of the place and directed them to prevent the display of secession flags. A strong disunion sentiment is manifest in the place, but no disrespect was offered me, although I have been much among the people, but I directed Commander Stembel to hold as little communication with the shore as practicable. The colonels, with their force, as previously designed, left the town during the day, although I ystrongly importuned them to remain, as I did the Cincinnati company, but they declined on the ground of not being properly equipped nor having been mustered into the service. Under these cireumstances, and the water requiring the Lexington soon to leave, I went down to Evansville, in the steamer Bee, and telegraphed to Governor Morton, at Vincennes, Ind., asking for 500 men for Owensborough. If I get no reply, I purpose telegraphing General Anderson at Louisville for the same number. On returning to Owensborough in the evening I again communicated with the shore; after which, and giving my orders to Commander Stembel to remain till the low water required him to leave in order to reach Cairo safely, I ran down to Evansville, meeting and boarding the Conestoga en route, and giving her instructions, and here have telegraphed to General Anderson for 500 men to be sent to Owensborough.

Having done all in my power in this quarter, and the preparations of the gunboats in Saint Louis demanding my immediate attention, I leave for that place at 10 a. m. to-morrow, and trust that I may personally communicate with you in the evening.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,