Letter

RE ER OP OL OTe S QR ESTE SN RM YO TR ROC ME CNN HE SX E eS IIS IE O i to Geo. H. Thomas, November 7, 1861

– HEADQUARTERS,

b Crab Orchard, November 7, 1861.

Gov. ANDREW JOHNSON, London, Ky.: . DEAR SIR: Your favor of the 6th instantis at hand.* Ihave done all in my power to get troops and transportation and means to advance

Omar. XU] – CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION. . 343 . into Tennessee. I believe General Sherman has done the same. Up to this time we have been unsuccessful. PES $

_- Have you heard by authority that the troops at London were to fall

back? because I have not, and shall not move any of them back unless

ordered ; because, if not interfered with, I can have them subsisted there

. as well as here. I am inclined to think that the rumor has grown out

~ of the feverish excitement which seems to exist in the minds of some of the regiments that if we stop for a day that no further advance is contemplated. I can only say I am doing the best I can. Our commanding general is doing the same, and using all his influence to equip a force for the rescue of Tennessee.

Ifthe Tennesseeans are not content and must go, then the risk of disaster will rémain with them. Someof our troops are not yet clothed, and it seems impossible to get clothing.

Yor information respecting the organization of regiments, I inclose you General Orders, No. 70, from the War Department.

If the gentlemen you name can raise regiments agreeably to the conditions and instructions contained. in said order, the Government will accept them, and I hope will have arms to place in their hands in the course of two or three months.

In conclusion I will add that I am here ready to obey orders, and earnestly hope that the troops at London will see the necessity of doing the same. »

Very respectfully and truly, yours,

j

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RE ER OP OL OTe S QR ESTE SN RM YO TR ROC ME CNN HE SX E eS IIS IE O i

Pr i : T de ” y (dad P UO SE or AUG

Brigadier- General, U. S. Volunteers.

Editor's Notes
From: Operations in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, 1861. Location: b Crab Orchard. Summary: A Union officer informs Governor Andrew Johnson of efforts to secure troops and transportation for advancing into Tennessee, denies orders to retreat from London, and emphasizes ongoing challenges in equipping forces.
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 4 View original source ↗