W. A. Hoskins to Comdg. Fourth Regiment Kentucky Volunteers, November 2, 1861

sere Louisville, Ky., November 2, 1861.

General W. T. WARD, Campbellsville : .

DEAR SIR: Your letter of 31st is received. When prisoners are received have the papers all handed to Judge Dullitt, a good Union-man, and a member of the court of appeals, to whose decision I leave the ease. We cannot imprison and keep in custody all suspected persons, and the only safe course is to follow the law of the State of Kentucky, which makes arrests only proper when overt acts of treason are established. The cases you mention are certainly such as the safety of the

community would justify in having imprisoned, and I will caution Judge Bullitt on the point.

By my request Judge Catron has appointed a number of commissioners to reside along the line, one of whom was designed for Campbellsville. His examination and commitment will be final, and will obviate our hitherto trouble of judging cases from mere letters and the explanations of the accused. So many improper arrests were made by selfconstituted authorities that there was a physical impossibility of keeping them. To inflict any cruelty on them would not be tolerated by the laws of war or peace, and the consequence is many dangerous men are set free. Judge Catron says the commissioners can put them under bond, and the bond will be good against their property or the property . of their sureties.

As you can well understand, we would soon fill all the places of confinement in Louisville were we to arrest and imprison all who may be dangerous. Leaders and conspicuous men never should alone be arrested, unless in strong cases, and then an examination should be had before a commissioner of the United States.

I expect you up this week.

Yours, truly, W. T. SHERMAN, Brigadier- General, Commanding.

CAMP WOLFORD, ONE AND A HALF MILES FROM CAMP GOGGIN, November 2, 1861. (Received November 6.)

General GEORGE H. THOMAS:

I reached here with my command last evening. ——

The enemy on 31st ultimo threw forward to Monticello 400 to 600 of his cavalry. I learn to-day that he withdrew them the same night to some point not ascertained below Monticello, toward the Tennessee border. His infantry is yet in Clinton County, and I think will not now advance. ;

Ihave dispatched a messenger to Columbia, where I learn Colonel Haggard [and] Colonel Grider are with their regiments; and one of my.

wagoners, who had just come into camp from Adair, reports two Ohio or Indiana regiments are in camp. By to-morrow night I shall get reply. I have written to them to know what effective force they have at Columbia; whether they can move in concert with me, and whether they have sufficient force to throw in the rear to cut off his retreat, and, if so, can they still furnish, and how much, force to join with me in front.

If they will throw forward to Burkesville sufficient force to hold the passes and cut off communication with Buckner’s line, the rebel and rabble crew can be effectually crushed. z

I have ordered 400 of Colonel Wolford’s cavalry go forward one hour before day to reconnoiter, to advance as far as they can prudently go, gather all they can. of the strength, character of forces, positions, and movements of the enemy and return and report, by which time I shall hear from Columbia. From all I ean gather I take it that this is the same body of unorganized, badly-armed rebels who have been heretofore gathered near Monroe, in Overton County, Tennessee. Their strength has doubtless been greatly exaggerated. There were for some two months near Monroe 2,000 to 2,500; they left there to join Buckner, and returned through Monroe County, Kentucky, Cumberland County, 4 and to Clinton, where they were at last accounts, with the purpose of – breaking up the unarmed camps at Burkesville and then at this place.

Their failure to advance, I suppose, grows out of the fact that they ascertained that the camp at Goggin was armed.

Colonels Wolford and Hoskins requested me in your absence to take command. f

I have sent back for the provisions we were unable to bring up.

There is no possible chance for the enemy to advance upon our front without being cut to pieces. He may attempt a flank movement, but I will guard that in time to meet him at equally as formidable a pass.

Respectfully, THO. E. BRAMLETTE.

CAMP HOSKINS, PULASKI COUNTY, KENTUCKY, November 2, 1861. Brig. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS, Commanding First Kentucky Brigade:

GENERAL: I have just received three dispatches from Wayne (all concurring), stating that Zollicoffer, with his full force, estimated by some as high as 20,000, arrived at Monticello on last night, and to-day are on their march in this direction. =

On yesterday some five Tennesseeans arrived at our camp from near Hartsville, Tenn., and they reported that Zollicoffer’s forces were marchIng across from Cumberland Gap to J amestown, Tenn.; but having heard so many false rumors, I was indisposed to trouble you until I^ had news which was reliable. –

I shall contest this point until resistance is useless. I have just ordered the destruction of all the ferry-boats at this point, and shall so E distribute my picket guards along the river above and below this point as to guard against a flank movement. :

. I repeat it, the news of the approaeh of Zollicoffer is reliable, and aid ` cannot reach us too soon.

Zollicoffer has artillery, as it has been heard even to this point.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Colonel Comdg. Fourth Regiment Kentucky Volunteers.

^ London, Ky., November 2, 1861.

SIR: Your communication of the 1st instant was duly received. The

regimental reports called for will be forwarded as soon as they can be