Tte Ten Am to George H. Thomas, September 23, 1861

General GEORGE H. THOMAS, : Brigadier-General, U. S. Army, Commanding Camp Robinson :

DEAR SIR: Yours of the 23d instant, directing me to hold my main

` body at Irvine, &c., is received. We encamped here yesterday with

two fall companies raised in this county, and we are looking for another from Owsley County this evening; also one from Jackson County. Other companies are forming in this and other counties I learn. I have several companies in Camp Robinson who propose to join my regiment.

Will it be inconsistent or incompatible for me to ask you to permit them

to be sent here? Ihopenot. We need blankets, tents, and other camp

equipage, and guns, and I know we ought to have them right away. Great activity in the counties around on the part of the secessionists. Our people are recruiting rapidly. I have house room at my place (Estill Springs), adjacent to Irvine, to lodge several companies and

officers, but we can’t do without blankets. Straw is the best we can do, and the use of it makes it dangerous on account of fire, &e.

Samuel Gill, of military board, ordered or directed me to use my houses for quarters for men and officers until further orders, stating that he had had full conversations with General Anderson, and that it – met his entire approbation; but for this, and other information from

reliable sources, I would have sent my men forward to your camp. A

camp at my place will greatly facilitate enlistments for the Government

and hold the secessionists in check. iS SY

Can’t we have some cavalry for scouts.sent us? They are greatly needed, and will be more so very soon. Quick work. Blankets, tents, guns, &c., will heip us and give our people confidence. More depends

Mii dade cul ear r oS on this than men ordinarily imagine. The mountain people are peculiar,

and I know them. i Hoping that these hasty views will be regarded in the proper light,

and made in the utmost good faith and respect, I am,

respectfully, your