James A. Garfield to Jacob Heaton, January 5, 1862

Capt. JAcoB HEATON, Acting Assistant Commissary Subsistence : DEAR SIR: My messenger has just returned, bringing your dispatches.* I am exceedingly grateful for the very prompt and energetic manner in which you have pushed our interests in regard to re-enforcements. It took nearly two days for us to get our own train over the mountains to this place, 3 miles from our former camp. Here I have waited two days to hear from our re-enforcements. We are now within – ¿miles of Paintsville and 64 miles from the mouth of Jennie’s Creek, where the rebel cavalry are encamped. We have had two slight skirmishes with their pickets within the last twenty-four hours. They have been re-enforced within the last few days, and I have some reason to believe that Jenkins has joined them with 400 of his men. I am exceedingly anxious to reach the river, where we can get stores by boat, and also I desire to occupy the mouth of Jennie’s Creek. I expect to move to-morrow, and if Colonel Bolles’ cavalry reaches me I shall be able to accomplish both these purposes soon. ‘ From a messenger just arrived I learn that part of Colonel Lindsey’s force has reached Louisa, and part of the rest will be there this evening. – Now the river has so raised that I think his regiment can be taken up * Not found. the river to the mouth of Muddy Branch, a little below the mouth of Paint Creek ; at any rate, they can be taken-to the mouth of George’s Creek. I hope you have succeeded in gétting Colonel Lightburn’s regiment to come up and co-operate with us. The enemy is rallying for à desperate effort, and the expedition is growing up to proportions that I did not at first expect, but if our friends come up to the work our prospect is very good. I have sent by the messenger who bears this a dispateh to General Cox, asking him to move his expedition to Logan Court-House, westward, and help cut off the enemy’s retreat. Please send forward the dispatch.* * * D * * * * Very truly, yours,

J. A. GARFIELD,