Since General Carter
arrived we have been over considerable country. The general thinks when the
work is completed we will be secure against almost any force. With strangers
they could not find passways, but persons acquainted with the country could get
into our camp really ways. Still, they could not do so if we had a small force
at each point. The distance from Little Rockcastle River to Big Rockcastle is
some 3½ miles. A considerable portion of this distance is defended by natural
cliffs, so that it relieves us from performing much labor at those places. Ten
miles of the road south of our camp is almost a dense thicket on each side of
the road, and could be defended, or at least we could annoy the enemy with
infantry the entire distance, whilst we would be comparatively secure, provided
we acted cautiously. General Carter can explain more explicitly.
Colonel Brown
desires me to say to you that he can supply his command of twelve-months' men
with beef and bread, but will be dependent on you or General Crittenden for
sugar, coffee, soap, candles, and such other articles as are furnished. He has
no tents or camp equipage. Many of his men are bare of shoes, clothing, and
blankets.
Colonel Brown
desires to know whether or not he must open a correspondence with General
Crittenden or must he address you on all matters connected with his military
affairs? He desires such instructions as you may from time to time think proper
to give.
Colonel Brown has
now enrolled and in camp some 250 twelve-months' soldiers. He has muskets, but
no cartridge-boxes, caps, pouches, nor bayonet scabbards. He desires to hear
from you as soon as convenient. Mount Vernon is the post-office, if sent by
mail.
I have not heard
anything of the rebels since they reached Barboursville. The last account is
that some 100 or upwards were in Barboursville. I have heard, but do not say
that it is reliable, that there is a robbing party going through Knox County,
plundering every person (almost) they come across, and that it is headed by men
by the name of Arthur, citizens of Knox County, Kentucky.
I have got Colonel
Brown to move all of his men to the river except one company, and they are
outside our camp in a rock house. We have been much annoyed by them, as well as
visitors and others who were driven before the rebels. Some of them returned
this evening part of the way home, but heard of the rebels below London, and
they returned to camp. The report, I am satisfied, is false.
