Letter

William T. Sherman to George H. Thomas, October 12, 1861

y Louisville, Ky., October 12, 1861.

Brigadier-General THOMAS, Commanding Camp Dick Robinson :

SIR: I am officially notified that a detachment of recruits for the Thirty-third Indiana, Colonel Coburn, has been sent to him via Cineinnati, and the governor asks me to send arms for them. We have not the arms, and I can find none. An agent of the State from Washington assures me 17,000 arms have been sent for the Kentucky troops. Regiments of men from Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio are offering, all without arms, and I am powerless.

I can only suggest that you reduce the regiment to its number of arms by ordering the sick back to their State. When arms come, the regiment can again be filled. This is very discouraging, but is the only remedy that suggests itself to me.

your obedient servant,

Dbrigadier- General, Commanding.
——
LOUISVILLE, Ky., October 12, 1861.
b
Brig. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS,
Commanding Camp Dick Robinson :
SIR: General Nelson telegraphs me that the rebels encamped at Prestonburg have begun to move forward. The regiment of Colonel Harris,

Editor's Notes
From: Operations in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, 1861. Location: y Louisville, Ky.. Summary: W. T. Sherman informs George H. Thomas of a critical shortage of arms for Union recruits, advising reduction of regiment size by sending sick soldiers home until weapons arrive.
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 4 View original source ↗