O. D. Greene to James A. Garfield, January 20, 1862
January 20, 1862.
: : Louisville, Ky., January 20, 1862. Colonel GARFIELD, Commanding Highteenth Brigade, Prestonburg, Ky. :
CoLONEL: Your dispatches of your attack upon the enemy at Paintsville and Prestonburg on the 7th and 10th instant have been received, and the general commanding directs me to express his gratification at the perseverance, fortitude, and gallantry displayed by yourself and your command in the campaign in which you are engaged. ‘ Your original instructions were to proceed as far as Piketon (or Pikeville), and it is inferred from the activity and energy displayed up to the date of your dispatehes that you have not permitted the enemy to rest this side of that point. As it is not known here what direction Marshall has taken, it is not practicable to give you any definite instructions. He may have goneinto Western Virginia or taken the road from Prestonburg or Piketon to Hazard in Perry County or Whitesburg in Letcher, and may even attempt to make his way to Cumberland Gap. You are directed in any case to drive him from the soil of Kentucky and, having done this, to act as circumstances may require, keeping this office informed of your movements and your whereabouts, that instructions may reach you. Colonel Marshallâs Kentucky regiment, from Maysville, Ky., was this day ordered to report to you, and if you should find it necessary to move to the south beyond Piketon, a foree must be left at that point. Itis a place which must be held, and Marshallâs regiment might receive orders from you for that purpose. It would be well for you to put yourself in communication with him as soon as practicable.
very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Assistant Adjutant- General.