Unknown to George Henry Thomas, November 14, 1861
Louisville, Ky., November 14, 1861.
Brigadier-General THOMAS, Commanding, Crab Orchard: NE
SIR: The report you make of the abandonment of Cumberland Ford and Cumberland Gap in part confirms me in the opinion hitherto expressed, that the efforts to penetrate Kentueky by the three passes have been abandoned and all will be brought toward Louisville.
It may be that Zollicoffer may make his appearanee at the Cumberland in front of Somerset, and you may hold your command at Crab Orchard ready to move to Somerset or Danville, according to circumstanees.
Please make me a report of the number and condition of your command, that I may know what dispositions to make. Telegraph me via Nicholasville when your command is at Crab Orchaxd. ; ; Yours, ; j W. T: SHERMAN, Brigadier- General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO, Louisville, Ky., November 15, 1861. GENERAL. ORDERS, )
No. 1 I. In pursuance of General Orders, No. 97, of the 9th instant, from the Adjutant-General’s Office, Brig. Gen. D. ©. Buell hereby assumes com.. , mand of the Department of the Ohio. 3
JAMES B. FRY, Assistant Adjutant- General, Chief of Staff.
. ADJUTANT-GENERAL’S OFFICE, Washington, November 16, 1861. Brig. Gen. D. C. BUELL, U. S. A., f Commanding Department of the Ohio, Louisville, Ky. : GENERAL: I have the honor to inform you that orders have been this day dispatehed by telegraph to Generals J. J. Reynolds and Cox,
in Western Virginia, to put en route immediately for Covington, Ky., –
one more Indiana and three more Ohio regiments ; the former to be detached from the division at Cheat Mountain, the latter three from that
at Kanawha. With these, superadded to the re-enforcements of which
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION. _ <2 350
you were advised by telegraph on the 14th instant, the major-general commanding instructs me to say that he expects you will be able to organize a proper force for immediate operations in the direction of Cumberland Gap,
P E. D. TOWNSEND, P. , Assistant Adjutant- General. = ;
General BUELL :
Ihave complete plans of General Johnston’s intrenchments; know their position. Hardee started toward Nashville, it was thought to re. : enforce Columbus, but I am well satisfied that he commands that force — — that passed through Scottsville and are now in the vicinity of Tomp3 kinsville. We are ready for any emergency. The First Ohio reached * us this evening. Hazzard with three regiments at Elizabethtown. A McCOOK.
HEADQUARTERS, Louisville, November 16, 1861. (Received at 2.20 p. m., November 17.)
General GEORGE H. THOMAS, Crab Orchard :
General Buell has arrived and assumed command. He will send you full orders. – In the mean time remain at Crab Orchard. W. T. SHERMAN, DBrigadier- General, Commanding.