John Boyle to Brigadier-General THOMAS, December 12, 1861
Brigadier-General THOMAS, Commanding First Division:
GENERAL: General Boyle directs me to say your dispatch and order of 11th instant is just received and acted upon. A force is detailed to commence the work immediately.
The general further directs me to say that reliable information, obtained from various sources, reports the enemy’s cavalry, 500 strong, on this side the Cumberland River, at Creelsborough and Rowena. They have seized many citizens and one sick soldier of Colonel Wolford’s command.
On receipt of the news last night the general ordered LieutenantColonel Letcher, with a portion of Colonel Wo!ford”s cavalry remaining here and à portion of Haggard’s regiment, to march to Creelsborough and Rowena, Colonel Wolford, who had advanced to Williams’, according to your orders, was sent down to co-operate with Letcher, and Colonel Haggard, who was conveying a large party of Tennesseeans from Burkesville to this place, was also ordered in that direction.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
eon 54
u 1 A r LEBANON, December 12, 1861.
Springs, just returned, reports the enemy not over 7,500 strong, according to their statement. Spy believes they are not over 6,500. He was
through their camp. They have but eight pieces of artillery.