Unknown to Brigadier General George H. Thomas, December 13, 1861
Columbia, Ky., December 13, 1861.
Brig. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS, Commanding First Division, Headquarters Lebanon, Ky.:
GENERAL: I inclose note from Colonel Haggard. See it; read it. Send me two regiments and at least one battery. We will go to the devil before we retreat from here. We canât retreat. The responsibility be on the proper authorities. Shall we be attacked by Zollicotter and by Hindman at same time? Send us two regiments and two batteries, in addition to the small force of General Ward, and we will take both and move to Glasgow.
My pickets from direction of Glasgow and Edmonton have not returned this morning. Ihave no news from that direction. Ifthe enemy crosses the Cumberland, I move the forces under my command and give battle at all hazards.
Send up a battery or section of battery. I see no reason in retaining all means of defense and attack at Lebanon, as they must some time be moved in this section.
If you have the power, I shall expect a battery and re-enforcements.
Respectfully, &o., J. T. BOYLE,
Brigadier- dee Commanding.
CREELSBOROUGH, December 13, 1861â1 a. m. (Received December 13, 1861.) General BOYLE:
DEAR SrR: We reached this place at dark, expecting an attack every moment since our arrival. I placed pickets out upon every road reaching this place.
Our pickets from the Rowena road have just come in, bringing us information that is reliable that 300 men had crossed theâ river at that – point this evening and a large force on the opposite bank were crossing (said to be 3,000 at least). Their pickets came in the hearing of ours and returned towards Rowena.
Had you not better send us all the cavalry under your command in Columbia? “They have killed several persons at that point and robbed the citizens of the town. Write me immediately what to do.
D. R. HAGGARD, Colonel Cavalry.