Letter

William S. Rosecrans to George Wright, November 28, 1862

HEADQUARTERS FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS,

Major-General WRIGHT, Cincinnati :

[From] a secret source, entitled to much credit, [I learn] that Kirby Smith proposes to re-enter Kentucky by some route far east of us, probably by Burkesville. It may be only a project, it may be a plan, but it must be watched, and we must be ready.

W. 8S. ROSECRANS, Major-General.

NASHVILLE, November 29, 1862.

The general has not sufficient information yet to warrant him in ordering your movement on Lebanon; hopes to get it to-night. Meantime be prepared to move your whole force, with five days’ rations, at a moment’s notice. When the depot at Mitchellsville shall be cleared out, one regiment there will suffice. Granger will not be ordered down from Bowling Green so long as Kirby Smith is said to be meditating a raid upon the railroad. Hall, with four regiments from Munfordville, was ordered this afternoon to Glasgow, to scour the country well in that direction.

By command of General Rosecrans :

Assistant Adjutant-General and Chief of Staff.
: NASHVILLE, November 29, 1862.
Colonel Hambright reports from Mitchellsville that his force is so much
reduced by details for train guards that any further [reduction] would
leave it defenseless. Says his scouts, of yesterday, report both cavalry
and infantry of enemy east toward Scottsville, in small parties of 15
to 20.
By order:
Editor's Notes
From: Operations in Kentucky, Middle and East Tennessee, N. Alabama, S.W. Virginia, Pt. 1. Location: Nashville, Tenn.. Summary: General Rosecrans warns Major-General Wright of Kirby Smith's potential eastern Kentucky incursion, instructing readiness to rapidly mobilize forces and secure key locations to counter the threat.
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 20, Part 1 View original source ↗