Geo. H. Thomas to HALLECK, Saint Louis, Mo, December 29, 1861

Cairo, December 29, 1861.

Capt. J. C. KELTON, Saint Louis, Mo.:

On Thursday night I left here to visit Shawneetown and all other points occupied by troops within this military district on the Ohio River. At Shawneetown I found a regiment of cavalry with but few arms, and five companies of the regiment that have not yet been mustered into the service of the United States; also a regiment of infantry, claiming to number over 800 men, still in the State service, with about 400 muskets, that I had previously sent there from arms that had been turned in by troops here to receive better arms. These troops have a large steamer at their service, for which they seem to have no other use than to send up the river after hay for the cavalry horses. The steamer appears to have been chartered by State authority. Asa claim will likely come against the Government for all money paid in this way, I would recommend that the Governor of the State be requested to send a mustering officer to muster these troops into the service of the United States, and I can then supply their wants without keeping a large steamer expressly for that purpose.

At Cave in Rock there are many refugees, who have been driven from their homes in Kentucky, and are now living in the cave in very destitute circumstances. The country on the Kentucky side has been nearly stripped of all supplies, the secessionists receiving hay and the Unionists driven from their homes. This portion of Kentucky is within the Department of the Ohio, but is remote from any of the troops of that department. The citizens are very clamorous for Federal protection. There is an encampment of rebels at Hopkinsville, said to number about 3,000 men, poorly armed and equipped, who, if driven out, would save this portion of the State much annoyance. Camp Beauregar d (Feliciana) has been entirely evacuated, the troops going to Bowling Green. This gives re-enforcements to that point of about 7,000 men.

Finding cavalry much needed both at Paducah and Smithland, I have ordered up five companies from here; also ordered two companies to Cape Girardeau, to replace those ordered to Carondelet.

There is evidently great dissatisfaction among the troops of General «Jeff. Thompson. There have been recently between 300 and 400 of his men come into Cape Girardeau and voluntarily applied to take the oath of allegiance to the Government. They express themselves anxious to retire to their homes and live in quiet.

I have had a man in Columbus last week who succeeded in ate g

a map of the enemy’s works, which I have every reason to believe is as accurate as it is possible to get before Columbus falls into our possession.

The floating battery has been removed toNew. Madrid. Many of the best-disciplined troops have been removed, and their places supplied by militia. This informant says that he heard a planter remark that many of the troops were now distributed in squads of 20 and over upon the plantations in the South to repress insurrection. Being able to speak the German language, he learned that there are:about 1,200 of that nationality who, with some 600 Irish, intend to turn upon the garrison as soon as they feel there is any security in doing so when an attack is made. Iam well aware, however, that it will not do to rely upon this sort of support.

U. S. GRANT, Brigadier- General.

HDQRs. First DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO, Lebanon, Ky., December 30, 1861, Brig. Gen. D. C. BUELL, Commanding Department of the Ohio, Louisville, Ky.:

GENERAL: I received your letter of the 29th with the map. Have made arrangéments to move as light as possible, and hope to get started to-morrow, although with raw troops and raw mules I fear there will be some difficulty. I have but few wagons over and above the regimental wagons. The provisions will have to be hauled with hired teams until Captain Mackay can have time to break in his raw mules, which I fear will delay us much longer than we should be delayed. I have been told that the country we are going to is very poor, and it will be necessary to pass through speedily should we attempt to penetrate to Knoxville. I will therefore subinit for your consideration if it would not be a better move for my main force to go down the river (should we succeed with Zollicoffer) as far as Burkesville, take to that place subsistence enough to last us to Nashville, place the. subsistence on flat-boats, and march with a light train in two columns, one on each side of the river; the provisions and extra forage being floated down the river in boats under a strong guard.

The enemy being thus threatened on their rear and right, would greatly aid your advance in their front, and should they make a determined stand at Bowling Green, I might with my column cut off their retreat at Gallatin.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Brigadier-General, U. $. Volunteers.

WASHINGTON, D. C., December 31, 1861.

General HALLECK, Saint Louis, Mo.:

General McClellan i issick. Are General Buell and yourself in concert?

When he moves on Bowling Green, what hinders it being re-enforced

from Columbus? A simultaneous movement by you on Columbus might

prevent it. ;