Colonel Thomas E. Bramlette to Brigadier-General George H. Thomas, November 29, 1861

COLUMBIA, KY., November 29, 1861.        

(Received November 30, 1861.)

General GEORGE H. THOMAS:

I received a dispatch before day this morning from Burkesville that 200 rebel cavalry were at the ferry on the south side of the river; a few of them crossed over and went to Boles', saw and arranged with him and his partners for the slaughter of hogs, and returned. The courier informed me that the men who are acting for the rebels are killing and packing a large number of hogs at Burkesville, viz, J. B. Alexander, J. R. Ryan, James and Sam. Boles, and Robert Cross.

I have no doubt but steamboats will be up in a few days and carry off the large amount of pork, wheat, &c., the rebels are gathering upon the river. All this could be prevented by a force being stationed at Burkesville with artillery to command the river. The rebels are now in possession of the river from Mill Springs down. I sent out scouts towards Glasgow; they went as far as Edmonton, and returned with a rebel flag, which the rebel cavalry had hoisted there the day before. I have a small number at Lairville, opposite Rowena, seven, including James Ferguson.

On yesterday some 50 rebel cavalry appeared on the southern bank. Ferguson and his squad fired upon them, and after about four rounds the rebels fled, leaving one fine horse wounded in the hind leg, some blankets, &c., which our scouts secured.

I sent Colonel Wolford to the aid of Colonel Hoskins with 500 cavalry, embracing part of Colonel Haggard's command.

As I have before advised, the rebels are at Mill Springs, in force about 8,000, but as yet have not crossed the river, and I do not believe will. I am still unshaken in the conviction that their purpose is to seize all the wheat, corn, fat hogs, mules, &c., they can south of the river and return perhaps by steamboats or other craft; perhaps fall back to their former camps in Tennessee.

It would be an easy matter to hem them in were there sufficient forces to make the movement from here. Two days' easy march would throw us in their rear, so that, with the river in front and around and we in their rear, no escape would be left.

Respectfully,

THO. E. BRAMLETTE,        

Colonel First Regiment Infantry Kentucky Volunteers.

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. 459

Major Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, October 27, 1861

Camp Tompkins, October 27, 1861.

Dearest: — I have had a week's work trying twenty cases before a court-martial held in one of the fine parlors of Colonel Tompkins' country-seat. I have profaned the sacred mansion, and I trust that soon it will be converted into a hospital for our sick. My pertinacity has accomplished something towards that end. My week's work has had painful things, but many pleasant ones. I trust no life will be lost, but I fear it. Still I have done my duty kindly and humanely.

The weather generally has been good. The paymasters are here and general joy prevails. I expect to remain at this camp about a week or ten days. Whether I shall return to my regiment or go around to Grafton is not yet certain, probably the latter.

I see that the Sixth Street ladies are at work for the Tenth. All right. Clothing, but blankets and bedding comforts, etc., still more, will be needed this winter. Army blankets are small and are getting thin and worn-out. As cold weather comes on the well, even, will need all they can get. As yet, in this region, nobody but sick men have any business to complain.

Dr. Joe has an order from General Rosecrans to Jim to come out and assist him. If he comes let him bring a good blanket or comfort for me. If I am away it can be kept for me till I return or used by somebody else. During the next ten days I shall get money plenty to send you for all debts, etc., etc.

I can quite certainly make you a visit, but I hardly know when to do it. Dr. Joe will want to visit home sometime this fall or winter and you better “maturely consider,” as the court martial record says, when you would prefer him to come. Of course he must wait for Dr. Clendenin and I for Colonel Matthews. My preference is about December.

Mother and Jim both seem to think letters never reach us. We get all your letters now, and quite regularly. There was a period after Carnifax when we were out of reach, but now we are in line again. We see Cincinnati papers of the 24th on the 26th. By the by, you need not renew my subscription to the Commercial. No use to send papers. We get them from the office sooner in another way.

If Jim comes let him get an assortment of late papers, Harper's, Atlantic, etc., etc., and keep them till he gets to our camp. We are the outermost camp and people are coaxed out of their literature before they get to us. . . .

I dined in a tent with fourteen officers and one lady on Wednesday. Her husband was formerly a steamboat captain, now a major in [the] First Kentucky. She evidently enjoyed her singular position; bore her part well. . . .

Affectionately, your

Rutherford.

Things I would like before winter sets in — I am not sure that Dr. Jim better bring them — there is no hurry:

1. A good large blanket; 2. An India-rubber coat, common black, — Dr. J—'s size; 3. A pair of gloves, riding, buckskin or sich; 4. A thick dark blue vest, military buttons and fit; my size at Sprague's; 5. Enough blue cord for seams of one pair of pants; Dr. Joe's poem, “Lucile”; 6. Two blank books, size of my diaries — good nice ruled paper, 6 or 8 inches by 4 or 5; 7. A pocket memorandum book. I could make a big list, but I'll quit.

Mrs. Hayes.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 124-6

Bruce’s Brigade Position Marker: Shiloh National Military Park

U. S.

ARMY OF THE OHIO.

BRUCE’S (22^D) BRIGADE, 

2^D KENTUCKY, 1^ST KENTUCKY,

20^TH KENTUCKY,

NELSON’S (4TH) DIVISION

THIS BRIGADE, WITH ITS REGIMENTS IN ORDER AS ABOVE,

WAS ENGAGED HERE AT 10 A. M. APRIL 7, 1862.

IT ADVANCED ACROSS THE PEACH ORCHARD.

NOTE: The position marker for Battery “A,” 1st Illinois Light Artillery can be seen in the background.

Southern News

FORT MONROE, April 5.

Latest intelligence received of the Merrimac, is that she was at Norfolk last night.  She was then coaling at the navy yard, and was expected to come out to-day.  Capt. Pegram is mentioned as likely to command her.

The Yorktown, Jamestown, and Teaser, and four other gunboats are at Norfolk.

A deserter come in this morning, reports a force on the peninsula, but not so large as supposed.

Magruder’s headquarters are at Lee’s Mills near Williamsburg.

Three tugs arrived from Newbern Thursday bring little of interest.

A report is current that Burnside has been ordered to evacuate Newbern within six days, and that he replied that he would meet the rebels at Goldsboro and Raleigh.

Fort Macon still holds out.  Extensive preparations for its reduction are progressing.  A few shells have been already thrown into it.  Cannonading has been heard all day from the direction of Yorktown.  It is rumored the town has been burnt.  No official report received.  Rumor probably incorrect.

A flag of truce to-day brought the following released prisoners from Richmond: - Col. Buford, Lieut. Van Horn and Colonel Bliss, U. S. A., taken prisoners in Texas, and Col. Woodruff, 1^st Kentucky regiment, taken in Kentucky.

The Mobile Advertiser of April 4^th has a special message from Memphis, stating that Buell’s army reached Savannah on the Tennessee river, and there had been brisk skirmishing, and great activity on both sides for the great struggle.

MOBILE, April 4.

Wednesday a Yankee force, 2000 strong, landed at Biloxi and cut the telegraph liens between Mobile and New Orleans.

NEW YORK, April 7.

The steamer Atlantic arrived from Port Royal.  Among her passengers are Gen. Sherman and staff.

Advices from Jacksonville 1^st, states an attack was expected there from two Mississippi and one Florida guerilla regiments, a battery and troops of horse.

Gen. Wright is confident in sustaining himself.

The rebel yacht America, has been raised by our naval force, and with the steamer Daylight is a prize.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 8, 1862, p. 1