Henry W. Halleck to Charles F. Smith, November 26, 1861

Brig. Gen. C. F. SMITH, Commanding at Paducah, Ky.:

GENERAL: The protection of the line of the Ohio between the mouths of the Wabash and Tennessee against any of Hardee’s rebel force attempting to cross the river into Illinois to operate upon the rear of Cairo, to isolate you at Paducah or to obtain subsistence from that State, it seems to me will be better secured by concentrating your forces at Paducah, with your bridge-head on the Illinois side of the Ohio held by a strong guard, than by any dispersion of them in posts at Shawneetown, Cave in Rock, and Golconda, as has been strongly urged by the Governor of Illinois. The river, of course, should be carefully watched by the flotilla, and in the event of any attempted crossing, not probable by anything ‘but marauding parties, you have it always in your power to disperse them or cut off their retreat by a suitable force crossing the river at Paducah and falling upon their flank or rear.

Against any appreh ended danger from rebel gunboats descending the Tennessee or Cumberland your main reliance will be the activity of your flotilla and your own guns in position at Paducah. Of course you will keep yourself well informed of any projected descent of the enemy.

To break up marauding of the rebels in the country east of the Ten- nessee, it may be well for you to secure the right bank of the river with strong cavalry scouts. Persons from that part of the country say that hogs are being collected together to be driven off to the rebel army. Would it not be possible for you to capture some of these droves so collected ? :

You will report your opinion as to the proposed occupation of Shawneetown and Cavein Rock by the Illinois regiments (three) just mustered into service.

The engineer officers under your command will be retained in service until further orders. The same rule will apply to Captain Neustaedter. It is understood that a board will soon be organized for the examination of all volunteer officers of the volunteer service—brigadier-generals included—so that incompetent officers may, if they do not resign, be discharged from the service.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,