A. Sohoepe to CAMP AT FISHING CREEK, December 5, 1861, December 5, 1861
December 5, 1861.
December 5, 1861—12 m. Brig. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS, Commanding Eastern Division :
GENERAL: Ileft this place this morning in company with Captain Prime, Engineer Corps, to go to Mill Springs to examine that place and plant a battery; when I arrived at Fishing Creek, I found the Seventeenth Ohio retreating and on this side of the creek; this was owing to disobedience of orders by Captain Dillion, of the First [Ky.] Cavalry, whom I ordered on Monday to proceed to Mill Springs, there encamp, and, if any attempt was made by the enemy to cross the river, to dispateh that faet to me. Instead of obeying, he encamped only 2 miles from Fishing Creek, without even the precaution of throwing out pickets, and the enemy, it is reported, crossed in force to this side last night. In regard to the order sent to Colonel Connell to march to Mill Springs, I inclose you his letter. ;
I met Captain Dillion on this side of the creek with his company, and on my interrogating him * why he had not obeyed my order,” he replied there was danger, and on that account had not proceeded.
I have ordered Colonel Hoskins’ regiment down to Fishing Creek, and will try to push on and see what the enemy is doing.
The rumor is that 2,000 of the enemy’s cavalry have crossed, but to keep them from crossing in too large a force for my men I have sent for — — General Carter’s Tennessee regiments and the Thirty-third Indiana. ps
The Thirty-eighth and Seventeenth Ohio are very short of ammu- ‘.
Cn XVI] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION.
nition, which fact was reported to me just yesterday. My position for defense is worse even than at Wild Cat.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Brigadier-General.
[Inclosure.]
CAMP AT FISHING CREEK, December 5, 1861.
(Received December 6, 1861.)
General SCHOEPF, Commanding Camp Goggin:
GENERAL: On yesterday I moved forward with the artillery to take
position at Mill Springs, according to your order, having sent the cavalry the evening before; they however did not proceed more than 2 miles.