Unknown to George H. Thomas, December 19, 1861
Commanding First Division, Lebanon, Ky.:
GENERAL:* * * * AsfarasIcan ascertain, there is no certainty that Zollicoffer is on the other side of the Cumberland. My information one day is that Zollicoffer’s whole force [is] on this side and the next day that his whole force is on the other side. I have received a letter from the Cumberland, informing me that W. G. Brownlow was in Fentress County, Tennessee, advancing this way with 1,500 to 2,500 men. I heard two days ago that Brownlow was certainly i in jail in Knoxville, and no doubt felt that he would be hung.
There is no reliable news here of interest, except that Morgan or some other rebel is ravaging the county of Metcalfe and toting off the stock of all kinds. Zollicoffer is sending large trains of wagons both into Tennessee an’l to Celina on the river to be shipped south.
My messenger returned without meeting the messenger from your headquarters.
Respectfully, &c., J. T. BOYLE,
P. S.—You will do me a personal favor and the publie a service if you
will see that Bramlette and his field officers are supplied with tents and
are left without excuse for not staying in camp.