W. H. Sidell to Fifteenth U.8. Infantry, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen, November 5, 1862

Nashville, November 5, 1862.

Brigadier-General NEGLEY,

Commanding Post, Nashville :

GENERAL: I have the honor to communicate the following, and agree with my informant that it would be proper to communicate with General Rosecrans, or his officer in advance, to push forward re-enforcements:

Major Lewis (formerly General Jackson’s private secretary) called to inform me (having been to your office without seeing you) that in a conversation held half an hour since (11.30 a. m.) with one of the most respectable citizens of the town, a secessionist and late professor in the medical college, he said that the city was to be attacked by a large force, amply sufficient to take the place, and specified that the fort on Saint Cloud Hill (Fort Negley) could be taken by the mean: hey had at hand; that he seemed to refer to the possession of the hill commanding Saint Cloud to the front and left thereof, from which they fired this morning; that the operations of to-day are simply for reconnaissance and to bewilder us, and also, if possible, to do injury by the destruction of property and the bridge.

Major Lewis’ opinion is fixed by the knowledge he has of the person who informed him, for he repeated his estimate more than once of his capacity and standing, and the major thinks that General Rosecrans should be reached even if a large number of messengers be sent one after the other. He is evidently of the opinion that there is no adequate force within the city to hold it. There was but one saving clause in the information, viz, that though the enemy had ample artillery it was not positively known if it were all up yet.

I am, general, respectfully,

your obedient servant,

Major Fifteenth U.8. Infantry, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen.