Unknown to George H. Thomas, December 10, 1861

December 10, 1861.

Columbia, Ky, te December 10, 1861. Brig. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS, Headquarters, Lebanon, Ky.:

SIR: My scouts sent out yesterday at noon, under Captain Owens, of Colonel Wolford’s cavalry, have just returned, and report the enemy across the Cumberland on this side. The scouts approached within 6 miles of the enemy’s eamp. “Their camp is 31 miles of this place, near the Columbia and Somerset road.

Captain Owens is à native of Pulaski County, and is thoroughly acquainted with the country and distances and with all the people. He learned from a trustworthy Union citizen in the vicinity of their camp that most if not all of their forces had crossed the Cumberland. They claimed to have others yet to cross. They claimed to have 30,000 men. Captain Owens believes they have from 10,000 to 12,000 men. They effected the crossing by an extensive raft of logs.

The rebels beat up for recruits in Wayne County last week and enlisted over 200 men. Their forces are increasing from recruits of rebels in Kentucky and new forces from Tennessee.

The enemy are between General Schoepf and the forces here. It is believed and understood to be their purpose to hold with part of their torce the forces of General Schoepf in check, and with the greater portion of their army move on Columbia, and, cutting us off, join Buckner’s

forees or hold this section, and prevent a flank movement on Bowling Green.

Would it not be well to inerease the force here, and throw suffieient numbers here to protect the sick and stores, and move on the enemy by the road to Somerset, General Schoepf making a simultaneous movement upon them from the other side? I notify you now that the enemy is in force on this side the Cumberland, and will most probaply move in this direction.

The forces here are greatly disabled by sickness. The morning report showed over 1,000 sick and absent, and the strength of the forces here does not exceed 2,500 effective men who could be brought into action, exclusive of some 300 of Wolford’s cavalry and including Haggard’s cavalry.

The forces here cannot fall back with all their sick and stores. Three of the regiments have no ambulances, and some have no wagons, and only one, the Nineteenth Ohio, is supplied fully with transportation. The sick and the stores here must be protected.

Concentrate your forces here and with General Schoepf and move them simultaneously upon the enemy, and you will effectually cut him off. If this is done, it must be done immediately. I shall expect forces to defend this place and move on the enemy. If you have a brigadiergeneral of experience, you can place the forces under his command, or I will lead them with such ability as I possess.

Let me hear from you.

Respectfully, &c., J. T. BOYLE, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Hpqrs. ELEVENTH BRIGADE, U. S. ARMY, Columbia, Ky., December 10, 1861. Brig. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS, Lebanon, Ky.:

SIR: I inclose you letter from Mr. George Bryan, clerk of Russell County, Kentucky, a man well known to me to be honest, true, and trustworthy. His information confirms and is corroborated by report of my scouts, except as to the number of the enemy’s force.

A captain of Tennessee militia, who was notified to draft one-half his command and report to headquarters at Monroe, Overton County, Tennessee, reported here with 44 of his men. He expects 160 more en route for these headquarters.

The enemy are drafting the loyal citizens of Clinton and Wayne. Probably the 200 recruits reported as obtained in Wayne were drafted and impressed.

Respectfully, &o., J. T. BOYLE, 1 Acting Brigadier-General.

JAMESTOWN, Ky., December 9, 1861.

Col. T. E. BRAMLETTE, Columbia, Ky. :

DEAR COLONEL: I have the following facts reliable, viz: Zollicoffer’s

forces are all across Cumberland River, except the Mississippi regiment _

and about 300 men under Colonel McRea; the latter are camped at F

Hiram Hall’s, in Wayne. The Mississippi regiments are camped at P i

WO n Cm. XVIL] = CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION. 491

Springs. There are about 5,000 across in camp on the hill opposite Mill Springs.

This comes from a gentleman just in from Wayne, who lives near Halls. He says he has been at Mill Springs and saw all that he reports, and knows that itis true. He was there when the scouting party came in that had the brush ut Rowena on Sunday; they reported one of their number killed, one horse wounded, and several pistols and guns lost, and some other minor injuries received. They rear and curse and swear vengeanee against Rowena.

Yours, &c., GEORGE BRYAN.

. P. S.—He says nine regiments have gone up to Mill Springs; thinks there are about 6,500 or 7,000 in all Zollicoffer’s forces.

Camp Woop, Bacon Creek, December 11, 1861. Capt. J. B. Fry, Assistant Adjutant- General, Chief of Staff:

I wish authority to call upon Colonel Turchin’s force, if necessary. Seventy-five rebel cavalry came up to Woodsonville at 5 a. m. this morning, got behind a house, and fired a volley. Our pickets returned it. The rebels fled. Hindman eneamped at Bear Wallow last night with 4,000 men. I will wateh him.

Camp NEVIN, December 11, 1861. Capt. OLIVER D. GREENE, Assistant Adjutant-General:

Iam all right and safe here. A return would almost be disastrous to my division unless some serious flank movement is taking place. I hope the general will rescind the order. How far shall I fall back?

LEBANON, December 11, 1861. Brig. Gen. D. C. BUELL:

Have just received a dispatch from General Boyle. His scouts sent out on the 9th had returned and reported the enemy this side of the Cumberland, within 30 miles of Columbia. Captain Owens, of Wolford’s cavalry, is a native of Pulaski. He learned from a trustworthy Union citizen in the vicinity of their camp that most if not all of their forces had crossed the Cumberland. They claimed to have others yet to cross. They claimed to have 30,000 men. Captain Owens believed they had from 10,000 to 12,000. General Boyle asks me for re-enforcements. I have sent a copy of his communication by mail.* Have not heard from Schoepf. Should have done so by this time.

HEADQUARTERS, December 11, 1861. (Received Lebanon, December 11, 1861.) General THOMAS:

Does General Boyle report the enemy advancing on Columbia? At what place or on what road are they? What kind of troops are they composed of? T

Order General Boyle to take a strong position where he is and fortify himself.

Order General Ward to move his command forward at once to Green River, so as to be ready to re-enforce VIDENDI in case of an actual attack.

Be prepared to move promptly in any direction, but keep up the regular duties of your command. Can you not communicate speedily with Sehoepf through Liberty? Answer.

Brigadier- General, Commanding.

LEBANON, December 11, 1861. General D. €. BUELL:

General Boyle believes the enemy will advance on Columbia by the Somerset road. They are infantry, artillery, and cavalry. He believes they will attempt to hold Schoepf in eheck with a part of their force and advanee on Columbia with the main body. . Cannot now communicate with Schoepf by Liberty ; that road leads through the enemy’s lines.

GEO. H. THOMAS, Brigadier- General.