Albert S. Johnston to Simon B. Buckner, September 14, 1861

General S. B. BucKNER, Nashville, Tenn. :

Your several telegraphs received. A dispatch from the President to Governor Harris yesterday will inform you of his views. A similar dispateh was sent to General Polk at Columbus. General Johnston is presumed to be now in Nashville, to assume conrmand. Appointment of brigadier-general will be sent to you by mail, and it is designed that you take command of either Camp Boone or Trousdale. You are authorized to accept regiments for twelve months, if they furnish their own arms, if they will not come for the war. “There is no law which authorizes the transportation, as suggested by you.

Adjutant and Inspector General.

NASHVILLE, TENN., September 16, 1861.

His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS:

. Mr. PRESIDENT: Your dispatch of the 13th instant,* was received at Chattanooga. After full conference with Governor Harris, and after learning the facts, political and military, I am satisfied that the political bearing of the question presented for my decision has been decided by the legislature of Kentucky. The legislature of Kentucky has required the prompt removal of all Confederate forces from her soil, and the governor of Kentucky has

issued his proclamation to that effect. The troops will not be withdrawn. .It is not possible to withdraw them now from Columbus in the west, and from Cumberland Ford in the east, without opening the frontiers of Tennessee and the Mississippi River to the enemy, and this is regarded as essential to our present line of defense as well as to any future operations. So far from yielding to the demand for the withdrawal-of our troops, I have determined to occupy Bowling Green at

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Information I believe to be reliable has just been received that General Polk has advanced upon Paducah with 7,500 men. The indications are distinct, leading to the conclusion that the enemy design to advance on the Nashville Railroad, and will immediately occupy Bowling Green, if not anticipated. i

I design to-morrow (which is the earliest practicable moment) to take possession of Bowling Green with 5,000 troops, and prepare to support the movement with such force as circumstances may indicate and the means at my command may allow. Full reports of the forces of my department will be made at the earliest practicable moment. But enough is already apparent, I respectfully submit, considering the intended line of our defenses and the threatening attitude and increasing forees of the enemy in Missouri and Kentucky, to authorize and require of me the assurance to you that we have not over half the armed. forees that are now likely to be required for our security against disaster. I feel assured that I can command the requisite number of men, but we are deficient in arms.

By letter of the 15th instant, borne by a special messenger, I have called earnestly upon the governors of Georgia and Alabama for arms, which I am assured they possess. If I fail*with them, I shall appeal to your excellency for support and assistance. I believe that those States have quite a number of arms, and that a portion, at least, of them ought to be spared to this line of our defenses.

Haviug no officer that I could place in command of the movement on Bowling Green, I have been compelled to select and appoint General Simon B. Buckner a brigadier-general, subject to your approval, which I hope it may meet.

The occupation of Bowling Green is an act of self-defense, rendered necessary by the action of the government of Kentucky and by the evidences of intended movements of the Federal forces.

I would be glad to have the services of G. W. Smith, if it is in the power of your excellency to assign him to my command. .

Any orders of your excellency will be executed promptly, and any suggestions you may make will be received with pleasure.

With great respect, your obedient servant,