Major-General George B. Crittenden to the Assistant Adjutant-General, Headquarters Department of the West, January 18, 1862

HEADQUARTERS,        

Beech Grove, Ky., January 18, 1862.

SIR: I am threatened by a superior force of the enemy in front, and finding it impossible to cross the river, I will have to make the fight on the ground I now occupy.

If you can do so, I would ask that a diversion be made in my favor.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. B. CRITTENDEN,        

Major-General, Commanding.

To the ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL,
        Headquarters Department of the West.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 7 (Serial No. 7), p. 103