Thomas L. Crittenden to J. P. Garesche, November 15, 1862

November 15, 1862—1 p. m. Col. J. P. GARESCHE, Assistant Adjutant-General and Chief of Staff :

Sir: From one of your spies I have just received the following information, which I forward sooner than he can reach you. He states that he has just returneil from Lebanon ; has been as far as Baird’s Mills, 7 miles on the Murfreesborough road; that Morgan has a station at Baird’s Mills of ‘300 to 500 men and two small guns, but that his headquarters are within 10 miles of Murfreesborough ; that they keep no force at Lebanon, for fear of being surrounded and cut off by our force here or at Hartsville; that they therefore dash in and out, but do not remain; that the forces at Murfreesborough are under the command of Breckinridge; that they do not exceed 8,000; that they are increasing their force by bringing in 300 to 500 men per day with two small locomotives, with which they make two or three trips daily ; that they axe fortifying ostensibly, but without any intention of fighting there; that the stand is to be made at McMinnville or Chattanooga; that they still have all their flour, bacon, coffee, and sugar there, which it will yet take two or three days more to remove; and that they will make strong demonstrations in order to check our advance; that they are removing, as rapidly as possible, their stores and heavy guns. He objects very strongly to having his name written down, and I refrain, expecting you will very shortly see him. I regard the information as by far the most intelligent and reliable I have received. Most

respectfully, your obedient servant,