Geo. H. Thomas to George Henry Thomas, December 11, 1861
Columbia, December 11, 1861.
(Received December 12, 1861.) General THOMAS, U. S. A., Commanding Division, Lebanon, Ky.:
SIR: I am fully satisfied General Zollieoffer’s forces do not exceed 7,500. They are increasing from the drafted recruits from Tennessee and some from Kentucky.
A spy sent to Mill Springs says the force is not over 7,500, and he
believes it is about 6,500, though enémy represent it very much larger. Hesays that only about one-half had crossed the river.
I learn satisfactorily that the force is increased daily by accessions of new recruits, ill-clad and poorly armed, and many without arms.
There is no doubt the enemy expect to furnish supplies up the Cuniberland, such as arms, clothing, &c. The enemy have eight pieces of artillery, two large guns, and six 6-pounders.
Wolford has moved the larger part of his forces to Billy Williams’ on Green River. The others will move as soon as transportation can be had. I have directed him to report to me daily as to movement of the enemy. He is only 16 miles from this place, in direction in which I have been sending scouts.
I have no quartermaster, no commissary, no blanks of any kind. Can you have them furnished?)
Respectfully, &c., J. T. BOYLE, Acting Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Hpqns. First DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO, Lebanon, Ky., December 12, 1861. Brigadier-General BUELL:
Commanding Depariment of the Ohio, Louisville, Ky.: GENERAL: I this morning ordered Capt. R. C. Webster, assistant
quartermaster, to repair to Somerset and report to Brigadier-General _
Schoepf for duty on his staff, directing Captain Webster to hire as many wagons as he could procure in the neighborhood of Nicholasville and Danville, to be used in transporting provisions, ammunition, and other supplies from Nicholasville to Somerset. It will be as much as we can do here, with the means at the disposal of the quartermaster’s department, to keep up a supply at Somerset and to enable me to move from here with my command. It is absolutely necessary thatthe wagons and teams required for by Captain Gillem when in Louisville should be forwarded to this place as rapidly as possible.
I sent dispatches last night to Generals Boyle and Ward immediately after the reception of: the telegram from you.
very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Brigadier-General, U. Ñ. Vols.