James A. Garfield to Jacob D. Cox, January 5, 1862

Brig. Gen. J. D. Cox, Commanding Division of Kanawha: DEAR SIR: I am now within 5 miles of Paintsville. The main force of the enemy is entrenched on two hills, 3 miles back of the town, on the road to Prestonburg. Five hundred of his cavalry are encamped at the mouth of Jennie’s Creck, 2 miles west of Paintsville. We are skirmishing with his scouts daily. He has lately been re-enforced by 400 of Jenkins’ cavalry and a few hundred men who were driven in from West Liberty by the Fortieth Ohio, which is advancing toward Prestonburg. My Kentucky forces are very slow in coming up, and I have but 1,300 men here, though I expect 500 of the Twenty-second Kentucky to reach me in a few days. I am also exceedingly glad to hear that Colonel Bolles, of your department, is coming with 500 cavalry to join me. For this I am under great obligations to you. By examining the position of our own and the enemy’s forces, I believe if the force which you have sent to Logan County could be sent westward, and act in concert with our forces here, the enemy’s retreat could be completely cut off, and his whole army, which now amounts to from 4,000 to 5,000, could be captured. I have learned that there is a feasible route from Logan County to the Big Sandy down the valley of John’s Creek, or, in case the enemy should retreat, your column could head him off on his route from Prestonburg to Piketon. If it is consistent with the interests of your command, I hope you will allow that column to act in concert with me. Very truly, yours,

J. A. GARFIELD,