Letter

Geo. H. Thomas to Camp CALVERT, EAST TENNESSEE, November 20, 1861

Author

Geo. H. Thomas

Recipient

Camp CALVERT, EAST TENNESSEE

Date

November 20, 1861

Type

Letter

Crab Orchard, November 20, 1861.

Brig. Gen. 8. P. CARTER, Commanding Camp Calvert:

GENERAL: Your dispatch [of 19th instant] has just been received. My orders are to move towards Columbia, and therefore am unable to render you any assistance. You must exercise your best judgment as to the best route to retreat, should your information prove correct concerning the approach of the enemy; but from all the information I have I should think the road to Richmond the best and easiest to defend. I will immediately dispatch to General Buell.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Brigadier-General, U. S. Vols., Commanding.
Camp CALVERT, EAST TENNESSEE,
November 20, 1861.
General GEORGE H. THOMAS,
Commanding, &c., Crab Orchard:
GENERAL: The news I received and forwarded you last evening
seemed to be reliable, and I accordingly forwarded it to you; but from

Editor's Notes

From: Operations in Kentucky, Tennessee, N. Alabama, S.W. Virginia, 1861–62. Location: Crab Orchard. Summary: Brigadier General George H. Thomas informs Camp Calvert that he cannot assist due to orders to move toward Columbia and advises retreat toward Richmond if enemy approach is confirmed.

Topics

1861 Civil War Field Reports Military Correspondence Military Operations

Sources

The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 7 View original source ↗