GENERAL: By
General Johnston I am instructed to inform you that the enemy are advancing on
General Zollicoffer. Two regiments were within 12 and 15 miles of his position
at London, Ky., yesterday. From other sources he is led to believe that this
advance is in force, and for the purpose of dividing us from the east by an
attack through Cumberland Gap.
Nothing more need
be presented to show you the necessity of the immediate employment of every man
for the defense of the line, and to explain to you the propriety of sending
your command to Knoxville instead of drawing it to this place, as was the wish
and intention of the general.
He now directs
you to send forward your command, now armed and organized, to Knoxville, as
fast as possible, and have the detachments reported to General Zollicoffer as
fast as they arrive at that point.
You will remain
in charge of the organization of the remainder of your forces and
superintendence of their movements or proceed with the advance of your command,
as the interests of the force prepared and unprepared may require.
The general has
seen your requisition for clothing, made on Quartermaster Stevenson. He regrets
he could not have it filled. Only half the number of blankets called for by you
are in store, subject to his order, for the whole of the command. A large stock
on which his quartermaster counted has been diverted by the Government. He now,
having shown you his deficiency in this article (and in all others the
deficiency is great), begs you to limit your call to the most absolute wants of
your men. He has himself, when similarly situated, found the advantage of
requiring the captains when the men asked for clothing to examine into their
condition, and compare that condition with the state of clothing in the company,
and supply those most in want.
SOURCE: The
War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and
Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 4 (Serial No. 4), p. 470-1
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