A. Schoepf to Brigadier- General, January 7, 1862

Somerset, January 7, 1862.

A (Received January 8, 1862.)

Brig. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS, Commanding Eastern Division:

GENERAL: I have received your instructions of January 1, 1862, yes- :

On the 1st I made a sketch of the enemy’s position and a statement of my views of an advantageous attack. You having received from General Buell orders how to attack; I send you this now not as a suggestion but as information of the country surrounding the enemy. The position at Somerset, while it may be regarded as a strong position for a force of 7,000 or 10,000 infantry, with one or two batteries, is assailable with a less force, from the fact that there is no one point of sufficient strategic importance upon which the whole force could be concentrated and command the surrounding heights. It is also rendered assailable from the number of approaches to the place, passable roads for infantry, cavalry, and artillery leading into Somerset from every direction.

The same may be said of the position of the rebel forces stationed at Mill Springs, upon the south side of the Cumberland River, and at Beech Grove, upon the north side of the river. At Mill Springs the rebel force is represented as numbering 3,000, at which point they have constructed earth fortifications upon three sides; the north angle of the square being fortified by the precipitous bluffs of the Cumberland River.

The area embraced within said fortifications cannot be less than 400 acres, making a line to be defended of 14 miles. The fortifications on the north side the river extend across a narrow neck of land between the mà in Cumberland River and White Oak Creek, and consist of intrenchments about 1 mile in length.

The timber upon the north of the intrenchments for a distance of three-fourths of à mile has been thrown so that there is no approaeh except by the narrow road in front, while the hope of a flank movement is futile, as the precipitous bluffs of the Cumberland upon the east and those of White Oak Creek upon the west render a flank movement of infantry impossible.

Had we a force of 10,000 men at this place we could then station. behind fortifieations at the two erossings of Fishing Creek (Hudson’s and Salt-works), 2,500 each, while with the remaining force of 5,000 we could cross the Cumberland at Waitsborough upon coal-barges, with which a bridge could soon be constructed, and by a forced march of the 5,000 infantry and two batteries secure the position A, which commands both the Mill Springs and Beech Grove encampments ; also the crossO Cmar: XVI] -— CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION. 537

ing at Mill Springs. Once the fire was opened upon them at Mill Springs, should they attempt to recross, the forces from the north side the Cumberland having only three small flats of capacity insufficient to cross 50 men each and requiring fully one-half hour to cross and Teeross, the whole force would fall an easy prey to us. They have also a large quantity of army stores collected at Captain West’s, consisting of bacon, wheat, corn, &c., while their main transportation train at Mill Springs, consisting of 1,000 wagons, horses, mules, and cattle, is certainly an object of acquisition. Should Zollicoffer not attempt to recross the Cumberland upon our opening fire upon Mill Springs, but remain an idle spectator until that.place was reduced, our guns could then be turned upon him, and the distance across to his encampment from point A not exceeding 14 miles, it would be within range of our guns.

The movement above indicated is preferred from the fact that it will in the first place secure a position which will command both encampments, and at the same time cuts off the retreat of the forces at Mill Springs, while, should Zollicoffer attempt to escape by abandoning his intrenchments and a move north, he would either fall upon our strong position at Fishing Creek or else move in the direction of Jamestown, either of which would prove alike disastrous to him.

I would suggest that the movement should be made without baggage train, and, as position A is distant from Somerset only 18 miles, we might move down to the Cumberland at Waitsborough and make a feint by throwing up fortifications until night-fall, when our boats should descend to that point, the bridge be constructed, and the crossing effected in about four hours.

In the mean time a reliable force, consisting of one or two companies, should be crossed at the north of the South Fork of the Cumberland, and fall into the main road at Weaver’s, 7 miles from Waitsborough, returning in the direction of Waitsborough, taking in the rebel pickets as they return, which if accomplished, the position A could be secured by a march of three hours from Waitsborough. I inclose you the sketch referred to in my letter.*

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Brigadier- General.