George H. Thomas to James B. Fry, November 21, 1861
Capt. J. B. FRY, A. A. G. and Chief of Staff,
Sir: Your communication of the 19th has just been received. The roads being in such bad condition I am compelled to move by Danville and Lebanon to get to Columbia. It is not possible at this season of the year to go by Liberty. I have therefore concluded to halt at this place for the generals instructions; in the mean time measures have been taken to remove all troops from London, and I am in hopes they will be able to start next Saturday, and reach here on Wednesday, the 27th. The roads between Crab Orchard and London are in wretched condition, and the dnimals very much reduted.
There are a large number of sick at Crab Orchard, which will make it necessary for Colonel Coburn to remain there with his regiment for two weeks or more.
Captain Gillem can give the general any information he may desire in reference to the condition of the troops and means of transportation.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers.
P. S.—I have with me the Seventeenth and Thirty-eighth Ohio Regiments; with General Schoepf, near Lebanon, the two batteries of artillery, the Fourteenth Ohio, and the Second Regiment Kentucky Volunteers. Bramlette's and Wolford's regiments are at Columbia.
LOUISVILLE, Ky., November 22, 1861.
regiments, and mustered into service as rapidly as possible, and I shall
expect soon to get them somewhat in hand. They are now scattered
all over the State for the convenience of recruiting. As near as I can