Xeo. H. Thomas to T. E. Bramlette, December 3, 1861

Col. T. E. BRAMLETTE, Commanding at Columbia, Ky.: COLONEL: I have just received yours of the 2d, inclosing Mr. Leverage’s statement of the strength of the enemy. I [have] no doubt his information is correct. It will be a good service to seize the pork at Burkesville if you are sure it is intended for the Confederates. As soon ds General Buell gets the troops organized into brigades I have no doubt one brigade will be posted at Burkesville. In the mean time I wish you to do all in your power to prevent an advance of the enemy via Columbia, as well as the passage of the steamers up the river. Do not run any risk of disaster, and should the enemy attack you at Columbia, hold him in check as long as possible and send me word immediately. Should he dare come to Columbia, we can easily capture him before he can get back to his lines. MX YS ; br eu XVI] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION. M I do not think you ean get an umbrella tent in Louisville. I will see Captain Webster, who will write you where he purchased his in Cincinnati. Respeetfully, GEO. H. THOMAS, Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers. . LEBANON, K. Y., December 3, 1861—11 p. m. General D. ©. BUELL, Headquarters, Lowisville : I have just received a dispatch from General Schoepf. The enemy are opposite Somerset and have commenced cannonading Hoskins’ camp. He says the strength of the enemy is estimated, from the best accounts he can get, of the following numbers: At Mill Springs, 2,000 infantry and 1,000 cavalry; at Captain Wiatt’s farm, 2 miles fr om Mill Springs, 1,000 infantry; at Steubenville, 2 miles farther west, is 2,000 infantry; and at Monticello, 5 miles from Steubenville, 3, 000 infantry. ] have sent to Colonels Walker and Van Derveer to march to his relief as rapidly as they can. When these two regiments reach him, he will have five regiments of infantry and one battery of artillery. .

xEO. H. THOMAS,