W. T. Sherman, ` to Camp At Nolin, Ky, November 4, 1861

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE ÜUMBERLAND,

Louisville, Ky., November 4, 1861.

General L. THOMAS, t . Adjutant- General, Washington, D. C. : .

SIR: In compliance with telegraphic orders of General McClellan, received late last night, I submit this report of the forces in Kentucky and of their condition.

The tabular statement shows the position of the several regiments. The camp at Nolin is at the present extremity of the Nashville Railroad. This force was thrown forward to meet the advance of Buckners army, which then fell back of Green River, 23 miles beyond. These regiments were substantially without means of transportation other – than the railroad, which is guarded at all dangerous points, yet is liable to interruption at any moment by the tearing up of a rail by the disaffected inhabitants or a hired enemy. These regiments are composed of good material, but devoid of company officers, of experience, but have been put under thorough drill since being in camp. They are generally well clad and provided for.

Beyond Green River the enemy has masked his forces, and it is very difficult to ascertain even the approximate numbers. . No pains have been spared to ascertain them, but without success, but it is well known ‘that they far outnumber us. Depending, however, on the railroads to their rear for transportation, they have not thus far advanced this side of Green River, save in marauding parties. This is the proper line of advance, but will require a very large force—certainly 50,000 men—as their railroad facilities south enable them to concentrate at Munford-

. ville the entire strength of the South. General MeCook’s command is divided into four brigades, under Generals Wood, R. W. Johnson, Rousseau, and Negley.

General Thomas! line of operations is from Lexington towards Cumberland Gap and Ford, occupied by a force of Tennesseeans under the command of Zollicoffer. He occupies the position at London in front of two roads which lead to the fertile part of Kentucky, the one by Richmond and the other by Crab Orchard, with his reserve at Camp Dick Robinson, 8 miles south of the Kentucky River. His provisions and stores go by railroad from Cincinnati to Nicholasville, and thence — Rx Meals to his several regiments. He is foreed to hire transporation.

Brigadier-General Nelson is operating on the line from Olympian Springs, east of Paris, on the Covington and Lexington Railroad, towards Prestonburg, in the valley of the Big Sandy, where is assembled a force of from 2,500 to 3,500 Kentuckians, waiting re-enforcements from Virginia. My last report from him was to October 28, at which time he had Colonel Harris’ Second Ohio, 900 strong; Colonel Norton’s Twenty-first Ohio, 1,000; and Colonel Sill’s Thirty-third Ohio, 750 strong, with two irregular Kentucky regiments, Colonels Marshall and

Metealf. These troops were on the road near Hazel Green and West Liberty, advancing towards Prestonburg.

Upon an inspection of the map you will observe these are all divergent lines, but rendered necessary from the fact that our enemies in the State chose them as places of refuge from pursuit and there cluster to receive the assistance of neighboring States. Our lines are all too weak, probably, with the exception of that to Prestonburg. To strengthen them I am thrown on the raw levies of Ohio and Indiana,

. who arrive in detachments perfectly fresh from the country and loaded down with baggage; also upon the Kentuckians, who are slowly forming regiments all over the State at points remote from danger, and whom it will be an almost impossible task to assemble together. The organization of this latter force is by the laws of Kentucky under the control of a military board at the capital (Frankfort) and they think they will be enabled to have 15 regiments towards the middle of this month, but I doubt it, and deem it unsafe to rely on them.

There are four regiments forming in the neighborhood of Owensborough, near the mouth of Green River, who are doing good service; also in the neighborhood of Campbellsville, but it is unsafe to rely on

. troops so suddenly armed and equipped. They are not yet clothed or uniformed. I know well you will think our force too widely distributed, but we are foreed to it by the attitude of our enemies, whose force and numbers the country never has and probably never will comprehend. I am told that my estimate of troops needed for this line, viz, 200,000, has been construed to my prejudice, and therefore leave it for the future. This is the great center, on which our enemies can concentrate whatever force is not employed elsewhere.

Detailed statements of present force inelosed with this.

With great respect, your obedient servant,

W. T. SHERMAN, `

Drigadier- General, Commanding.

[Inclosure.]

Brigadier-General McCook, commanding.

Brigadier-General Rousseau, commanding. Brigadier-General Johnson, commanding.

Sixth Indiana, Colonel Crittenden. Thirty-fourth Illinois, Colonel Kirk.