Theophilus T. Garrard to George H. Thomas, September 29, 1861

General GEORGE H. THOMAS, Camp Dick Robinson:

Colonel Wolford came into camp bringing with him the Home Guard under Colonel Brown.

The enemy have taken London. The colonel says they are in large force, and have about 600 cavalry. We might defend this place, and could if they were to come the road, but they can go through the woods with infantry. They could go the Richmond road until they cross Rockcastle River several miles, then there is a good road that intersects this road 13 miles this side of Mount Vernon.

Should they take that road, we would be then completely eut off from. your camp, there being no road for us to travel with wagons, and none that infantry could travel, except through the woods. It is8 miles from this to the Richmond road, and it runs nearly parallel for some 15 or 20 miles, several miles beyond Mount Vernon.

yee to the present circumstances, Colonel Wolford will remain with us. ;

The Home Guards that have been run off will have to be supplied with provisions from our stores, there being no provisions in the neighborhood. Corn is scarce; no old corn except that that is brought some 10 or 12 miles.

I will await your answer, unless I am perfectly satisfied we should retreat.

Hawkins, Burton, Walker, and five others are with the rebels, they having been conveyed through the woodsor by-ways. They passed the Home Guards under the pretense that they were from Camp Robinson and sent there as spies to report to you. Ihave no doubt Burton, &c., were sent by.their friends to carry the rebels into Madison County, knowing they were defenseless.

From what I have written you can see through the scheme (provided I am not mistaken). The last heard of the pickets they were this side of London, about half way between London and the forks of the Richmond road.

I consulted with Colonel Wolford before writing this. One of Colonel Wolford’s men fired on another of his men, wounding the man, and killing one horse and wounding another. The private that shot himself at camp, which I informed you of, died yesterday, so the bearer of your dispatch informed me. s :

There is but little water here, not sufficient for horses and men without hauling, which we could do.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,