The great difficulty is, and has been, that as volunteers offer, we have not arms and clothing to give them.  The arms sent us are, as you already know, European muskets of uncouth pattern, which the volunteers will not touch.

General McCook has now three brigades—­Johnson’s, Wood’s, and Rousseau’s.  Negley’s brigade arrived to-day, and will be sent out at once.  The Minnesota regiment has also arrived, and will be sent forward.  Hazzard’s regiment of Indiana troops I have ordered to the month of Salt Creek, an important point on the turnpike-road leading to Elizabethtown.

I again repeat that our force here is out of all proportion to the importance of the position.  Our defeat would be disastrous to the nation; and to expect of new men, who never bore arms, to do miracles, is not right.

I am, with much respect, yours truly,

W. T. Sherman, Brigadier-General commanding.

About this time my attention was drawn to the publication in all the Eastern papers, which of course was copied at the West, of the report that I was “crazy, insane, and mad,” that “I had demanded two hundred thousand men for the defense of Kentucky;” and the authority given for this report was stated to be the Secretary of War himself, Mr. Cameron, who never, to my knowledge, took pains to affirm or deny it.  My position was therefore simply unbearable, and it is probable I resented the cruel insult with language of intense feeling.  Still I received no orders, no reenforcements, not a word of encouragement or relief.  About November 1st, General McClellan was appointed commander-in-chief of all the armies in the field, and by telegraph called for a report from me.  It is herewith given: 

HEADQUARTERS THE DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Louisville, Kentucky, November 4, 1861

General L. Thomas, Adjutant-General, Washington, D. C.

Sir:  In compliance with the telegraphic orders of General McClellan, received late last night, I submit this report of the forces in Kentucky, and of their condition.

The tabular statement shows the position of the several regiments.  The camp at Nolin is at the present extremity of the Nashville Railroad.  This force was thrown forward to meet the advance of Buckner’s army, which then fell back to Green River, twenty-three miles beyond.  These regiments were substantially without means of transportation, other than the railroad, which is guarded at all dangerous points, yet is liable to interruption at any moment, by the tearing up of a rail by the disaffected inhabitants or a hired enemy.  These regiments are composed of good materials, but devoid of company officers of experience, and have been put under thorough drill since being in camp.  They are generally well clad, and provided for.  Beyond Green River, the enemy has masked his forces, and it is very difficult to ascertain even the approximate