Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Chapter XXII: Operations in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Mississippi, North Alabama, and Southwest Virginia. March 4-June 10, 1862., Part II: Correspondence, Orders, and Returns.
Lieut. Col. Robert N. Scott, Ed.

[303] boats at Paris Landing is fourteen, and a larger number at the other landings. Three boats loaded with troops passed mouth of Sandy upward bound this morning; the others loading and preparing to leave.

Later.--Citizens in this afternoon from Canton, on Cumberland-River, report large bodies of troops having passed that place three days ago, the number of boats being sixty. This is rumor.

General: I am instructed by the Secretary of War to inform you that, as suggested by you, Maj. Gen. [E.] Kirby Smith, who has been assigned to the command of the troops in the District of East Tennessee, will communicate directly to the War Department, but that his district need not be separated from your department, as combined movements may perhaps become desirable. As Chattanooga is in East Tennessee, it necessarily belongs to Major-General Smith's district. But if you should desire to maintain control of that post, you can either separate it from the district of General Smith or leave it under his command, as you may deem best.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Hold your troops-infantry, artillery, and cavalry-ready to move at any moment, with five days provisions and proper supply of ammunition.

I believe it would be well to establish your headquarters at once at Humboldt, for the present.

General: I have received your communication of this date, in which you direct me to state--

Whether a regiment of infantry and one wing of Clanton's cavalry will be sufficient force to enable you to meet all reasonable requirements on the Columbia (Tennessee) railroad, connected with the interests of the service.

In answering this question you will permit me to say that my position