S. P. Carter to George H. Thomas, December 9, 1861

Brig. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS, Commanding Eastern Division, Lebanon:

GENERAL: We arrived here this afternoon. On the forenoon of the 7th instant I received a dispatch from Brigadier-General Schoepf, telling me he had fallen back 3 miles from Somerset, and requiring me to join him “instantly.”

T 5roke up camp at once and started the First and Second East Tennessee Regiments. A messenger was sent to overtake Colonel Garrard, with orders s for him to return , Dring forward the remaining public stores, and join me with as little delay as possible, N

This morning, when 12 miles from this place, I received another dispatch from Brigadier-General Sehoepf, to the effect that Colonel Garrard was to remain at either London or Pittman’s. In compliance with it I forwarded orders to Colonel Garrard, requiring him to remain at one of those plaees.

My brigade is temporarily broken up, and I should like, if eonsistent with the exigencies of the service, to have it brought together as soon as possible.

From the best information I have had our position is rather a critical one; the force of the enemy—even at the lowest estimate—is nearly double ours, and they are but some 7 miles off. We certainly need re-enforcements, and I hope they will be sent forward before we are attacked by such unequal odds.

The road between this and London is passable by wagons. “There is much delay at the river and some very steep and rough hills; still they can be passed with moderate loads. Artillery would have some trouble in overcoming some of the hills.

There is another road called the Old Road, which is some 6 miles nearer—37 miles—than the one via Sublimity, but is rough, although, from all I have been able to learn, the hills are not so steep.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,