Arthur C. Ducat to Iieutenant-Colonel and Acting Ohief of Staff, November 7, 1862

November 7, 1862.

~ Bowling Green, November 7, 1862—10 p. m. Col. JOHN KENNETT, Commanding Cavalry (via Mitchellsville and courier lines) :

CoLONEL: The general commanding directs that yon make a strong occupation of Hartsville, and also send cavalry enough in front of General Crittenden in his advance across the river toward Lebanon, and on his front, opening communication with Nashville. At this distance you must be the best judge of the position and the intentions of the rebel cavalry. The general commanding expects that you will exercise your own judgment in many respects, governed by the several movements ordered. You will, on receipt of this, communicate rapidly with General Crittenden, and co-operate with him. The mission of the rebel cavalry was, from all we can learn, to destroy and prevent us from repairing the railroad to Nashville; they have failed in this. General Crittenden will tell you the news. See him as soon as possible.

The general wishes me to state that he does 1″t consider your dispatches satisfactory, and would like them oftener; that communication with his headquarters must at all times be kept up, wherever they ace.

I have the honor to be. colone!},

Iieutenant-Colonel and Acting Ohief of Staff

P. S.—Work secretly and quietly. Do not let the enemy know of

your movements.