James G. Spears to William S. Rosecrans, November 17, 1862

Major General ROSECRANS, Nashville, Tenn. : Two thousand five hundred cavalry arms were sent to Louisville for your army. All revolving rifles that can be spared will also be sent. Each army receives its proportion of each kind of arms as fast as they can be procured. This rule must be followed, for we cannot ‘rob Peter to pay Paul.” H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. LOUISVILLE, November 17, 1862. Major-General ROSECRANS: ‘ I am here with the residue of my command—Fifth Tennessee, First and Second Tennessee Cavalry. Second Tennessee has 1,030 men. Colonel Cook’s First Tennessee, Colonel Edwards says, 300. The quartermaster here has 1,000 horses; the ordnance officer can equip them all. Both officers will provide ‘their men upon your orders. I am directed by Major-General Wright to report to you. Orders and instructions are desired at once. I wish to move on.

JAMES G. SPEARS,