Mr。Cameronappearedalarmedatwhatwassaid，andturnedtoAdjutant—GeneralL。Thomas，toinquireifheknewofanytroopsavailable，thathadnotbeenalreadyassigned。HementionedNegley’sPennsylvaniaBrigade，atPittsburg，andacoupleofotherregimentsthatwerethenenrouteforSt。Louis。Mr。CameronorderedhimtodivertthesetoLouisville，andThomasmadethetelegraphicordersonthespot。Hefurtherpromised，onreachingWashington，togiveusmoreofhistimeandassistance。
Inthegeneralconversationwhichfollowed，IremembertakingalargemapoftheUnitedStates，andassumingthepeopleofthewholeSouthtobeinrebellion，thatourtaskwastosubduethem，showedthatMcClellanwasontheleft，havingafrontageoflessthanahundredmiles，andFremonttheright，aboutthesame;
whereasI，thecentre，hadfromtheBigSandytoPaducah，overthreehundredmilesoffrontier;thatMcClellanhadahundredthousandmen，Fremontsixtythousand，whereastomehadonlybeenallottedabouteighteenthousand。Iarguedthat，forthepurposeofdefenseweshouldhavesixtythousandmenatonce，andforoffense，wouldneedtwohundredthousand，beforeweweredone。Mr。
Cameron，whostilllayonthebed，threwuphishandsandexclaimed，\"GreatGod！wherearetheytocomefrom？\"IassertedthattherewereplentyofmenattheNorth，readyandwillingtocome，ifhewouldonlyaccepttheirservices;foritwasnotoriousthatregimentshadbeenformedinalltheNorthwesternStates，whoseserviceshadbeenrefusedbytheWarDepartment，onthegroundthattheywouldnotbeneeded。Wediscussedallthesemattersfully，inthemostfriendlyspirit，andIthoughtIhadarousedMr。Camerontoarealizationofthegreatwarthatwasbeforeus，andwasinfactuponus。IheardhimtellGeneralThomastomakeanoteofourconversation，thathemightattendtomyrequestsonreachingWashington。Weallspenttheeveningtogetheragreeablyinconversation，manyUnioncitizenscallingtopaytheirrespects，andthenextmorningearlywetookthetrainforFrankfort;Mr。CameronandpartygoingontoCincinnatiandWashington，andItoCampDickRobinsontoseeGeneralThomasandthetroopsthere。
IfoundGeneralThomasinatavern，withmostofhisregimentscampedabouthim。HehadsentasmallforcesomemilesinadvancetowardCumberlandGap，underBrigadier—GeneralSchoepf。Remainingthereacoupleofdays，IreturnedtoLouisville;onthe22dofOctober，GeneralNegley’sbrigadearrivedinboatsfromPittsburg，wassentouttoCampNolin;andtheThirty—seventhIndiana。，ColonelHazzard，andSecondMinnesota，ColonelVanCleve，alsoreachedLouisvillebyrail，andwerepostedatElizabethtownandLebanonJunction。ThesewerethesametroopswhichhadbeenorderedbyMr。CameronwhenatLouisville，andtheywereallthatI
receivedthereafter，priortomyleavingKentucky。OnreachingWashington，Mr。CameroncalledonGeneralThomas，ashehimselfafterwardtoldme，tosubmithismemorandumofeventsduringhisabsence，andinthatmemorandumwasmentionedmyinsanerequestfortwohundredthousandmen。Bysomenewspapermanthiswasseenandpublished，and，beforeIhadtheleastconceptionofit，Iwasuniversallypublishedthroughoutthecountryas\"insane，crazy，\"
etc。Withoutanyknowledge，however，ofthisfact，IhadpreviouslyaddressedtotheAdjutant—GeneralofthearmyatWashingtonthisletter:
HEADQUARTERSDEPARTMENTOPTHECUMBERLAND，LOUISVILLE，KENTUKY，October22，1881。
ToGeneralL。THOMAS，Adjutant—General，Washington，D。C。
Sir:OnmyarrivalatCampDickRobinson，IfoundGeneralThomashadstationedaKentuckyregimentatRockCastleHill，beyondariverofthesamename，andhadsentanOhioandanIndianaregimentforwardinsupport。Hewasembarrassedfortransportation，andIauthorizedhimtohireteams，andtomovehiswholeforcenearertohisadvance—guard，soastosupportit，ashehadinformationoftheapproachofZollicoffertowardLondon。I
havejustheardfromhim，thathehadsentforwardGeneralSchoepfwithColonelWolford’scavalry，ColonelSteadman’sOhioregiment，andabatteryofartillery，followedonasucceedingdaybyaTennesseebrigade。HehadstilltwoKentuckyregiments，theThirty—eighthOhioandanotherbatteryofartillery，withwhichhewastofollowyesterday。Thisforce，ifconcentrated，shouldbestrongenoughforthepurpose;atallevents，itisallhehadorI
couldgivehim。
Iexplainedtoyoufully，whenhere，thesupposedpositionofouradversaries，amongwhichwasaforceinthevalleyofBigSandy，supposedtobeadvancingonParis，Kentucky。GeneralNelsonatMaysvillewasinstructedtocollectallthemenhecould，andColonelGill’sregimentofOhioVolnnteers。ColonelHarriswasalreadyinpositionatOlympianSprings，andaregimentlayatLexington，whichIorderedtohissupport。ThisleavesthelineofThomas’soperationsexposed，butIcannothelpit。IexplainedsofullytoyourselfandtheSecretaryofWartheconditionofthings，thatIcanaddnothingnewuntilfurtherdevelopements，Youknowmyviewsthatthisgreatcentreofourfieldistooweak，fartooweak，andIhavebeggedandimploredtillIdarenotsaymore。
BucknerstillisbeyondGreenRiver。Hesentadetachmentofhismen，variouslyestimatedatfromtwotofourthousandtowardGreensburg。GeneralWard，withaboutonethousandmen，retreatedtoCampbellsburg，wherehecalledtohisassistancesomepartially—formedregimentstothenumberofabouttwothousand。
Theenemydidnotadvance，andGeneralWardwasatlastdatesatCampbellsburg。Theofficerschargedwithraisingregimentsmustofnecessitybeneartheirhomestocollectmen，andforthisreasonareoutofposition;butatornearGreensburgandLebanon，I
desiretoassembleaslargeaforceoftheKentuckyVolunteersaspossible。Thisorganizationisnecessarilyirregular，butthenecessityissogreatthatImusthavethem，andthereforehaveissuedtothemarmsandclothingduringtheprocessofformation。
Thishasfacilitatedtheirenlistment;butinasmuchastheLegislaturehasprovidedmoneyfororganizingtheKentuckyVolunteers，andintrusteditsdisbursementtoaboardofloyalgentlemen，Ihaveendeavoredtocooperatewiththemtohastentheformationofthesecorps。
Thegreatdifficultyis，andhasbeen，thatasvolunteersoffer，wehavenotarmsandclothingtogivethem。Thearmssentusare，asyoualreadyknow，Europeanmusketsofuncouthpattern，whichthevolunteerswillnottouch。
GeneralMcCookhasnowthreebrigades——Johnson’s，Wood’s，andRousseau’s。Negley’sbrigadearrivedto—day，andwillbesentoutatonce。TheMinnesotaregimenthasalsoarrived，andwillbesentforward。Hazzard’sregimentofIndianatroopsIhaveorderedtothemonthofSaltCreek，animportantpointontheturnpike—roadleadingtoElizabethtown。
Iagainrepeatthatourforcehereisoutofallproportiontotheimportanceoftheposition。Ourdefeatworldbedisastroustothenation;andtoexpectofnewmen，whoneverborearms，todomiracles，isnotright。
Iam，withmuchrespect，yourstruly，W。T。SHERMAN，Brigadier—Generalcommanding。
AboutthistimemyattentionwasdrawntothepublicationinalltheEasternpapers，whichofcoursewascopiedattheWest，ofthereportthatIwas\"crazy，insane，andmad，\"that\"IhaddemandedtwohundredthousandmenforthedefenseofKentucky;\"andtheauthoritygivenforthisreportwasstatedtobetheSecretaryofWarhimself，Mr。Cameron，whonever，tomyknowledge，tookpainstoaffirmordenyit。Mypositionwasthereforesimplyunbearable，anditisprobableIresentedthecruelinsultwithlanguageofintensefeeling。StillIreceivednoorders，noreenforcements，notawordofencouragementorrelief。AboutNovember1st，GeneralMcClellanwasappointedcommander—in—chiefofallthearmiesinthefield，andbytelegraphcalledforareportfromme。Itisherewithgiven:
HEADQUARTERSTHEDEPARTMENTOFTHECUMBERLAND，Louisville，Kentucky，November4，1861
GeneralL。THOMAS，Adjutant—General，Washington，D。C。
Sir:IncompliancewiththetelegraphicordersofGeneralMcClellan，receivedlatelastnight，IsubmitthisreportoftheforcesinKentucky，andoftheircondition。
Thetabularstatementshowsthepositionoftheseveralregiments。
ThecampatNolinisatthepresentextremityoftheNashvilleRailroad。ThisforcewasthrownforwardtomeettheadvanceofBuckner’sarmy，whichthenfellbacktoGreenRiver，twenty—threemilesbeyond。Theseregimentsweresubstantiallywithoutmeansoftransportation，otherthantherailroad，whichisguardedatalldangerouspoints，yetisliabletointerruptionatanymoment，bythetearingupofarailbythedisaffectedinhabitantsorahiredenemy。Theseregimentsarecomposedofgoodmaterials，butdevoidofcompanyofficersofexperience，andhavebeenputunderthoroughdrillsincebeingincamp。Theyaregenerallywellclad，andprovidedfor。BeyondGreenRiver，theenemyhasmaskedhisforces，anditisverydifficulttoascertaineventheapproximatenumbers。
Nopainshavebeensparedtoascertainthem，butwithoutsuccess，anditiswellknownthattheyfaroutnumberus。Depending，however，ontherailroadstotheirrearfortransportation，theyhavenotthusfaradvancedthissideofGreenRiver，exceptinmaraudingparties。Thisistheproperlineofadvance，butwillrequireaverylargeforce，certainlyfiftythousandmen，astheirrailroadfacilitiessouthenablethemtoconcentrateatMunfordsvilletheentirestrengthoftheSouth。GeneralMcCook’scommandisdividedintofourbrigades，underGeneralsWood，R。W。
Johnson，Rousseau，andNegley。
GeneralThomas’slineofoperationsisfromLexington，towardCumberlandGapandFord，whichareoccupiedbyaforceofrebelTennesseeans，underthecommandofZollicoffer。ThomasoccupiesthepositionatLondon，infrontoftworoadswhichleadtothefertilepartofKentucky，theonebyRichmond，andtheotherbyCrabOrchard，withhisreserveatCampDickRobinson，eightmilessouthoftheKentuckyRiver。HisprovisionsandstoresgobyrailroadfromCincinnatitoNicholasville，andthenceinwagonstohisseveralregiments。Heisforcedtohiretransportation。
Brigadier—GeneralNelsonisoperatingbythelinefromOlympianSprings，eastofParis，ontheCovington&LexingtonRailroad，towardPrestonburg，inthevalleyoftheBigSandywhereisassembledaforceoffromtwenty—fivetothirty—fivehundredrebelKentuckianswaitingreenforcementsfromVirginia。MylastreportfromhimwastoOctober28th，atwhichtimehehadColonelHarris’sOhioSecond，ninehundredstrong;ColonelNorton’sTwenty—firstOhio，onethousand;andColonelSill’sThirty—thirdOhio，sevenhundredandfiftystrong;withtwoirregularKentuckyregiments，ColonelsMarshallandMetcalf。ThesetroopswereontheroadnearHazelGreenandWestLiberty，advancingtowardPrestonburg。
Uponaninspectionofthemap，youwillobservethesearealldivergentlines，butrenderednecessary，fromthefactthatourenemieschoosethemasplacesofrefugefrompursuit，wheretheycanreceiveassistancefromneighboringStates。Ourlinesarealltooweak，probablywiththeexceptionofthattoPrestonburg。Tostrengthenthese，IamthrownontherawleviesofOhioandIndiana，whoarriveindetachments，perfectlyfreshfromthecountry，andloadeddownwithbaggage，alsoupontheKentuckians，whoareslowlyformingregimentsallovertheState，atpointsremotefromdanger，andwhomitwillbealmostimpossibletoassembletogether。Theorganizationofthislatterforceis，bythelawsofKentucky，underthecontrolofamilitaryboardofcitizens，atthecapital，Frankfort，andtheythinktheywillbeenabledtohavefifteenregimentstowardthemiddleofthismonth，butIdoubtit，anddeemitunsafetorelyonthem:TherearefourregimentsformingintheneighborhoodofOwensboro，nearthemouthofGreenRiver，whoaredoinggoodservice，alsointheneighborhoodofCampbellsville，butitisunsafetorelyontroopssosuddenlyarmedandequipped。Theyarenotyetclothedoruniformed。Iknowwellyouwillthinkourforcetoowidelydistributed，butweareforcedtoitbytheattitudeofourenemies，whoseforceandnumbersthecountryneverhasandprobablyneverwillcomprehend。
Iamtoldthatmyestimateoftroopsneededforthisline，viz。，twohundredthousand，hasbeenconstruedtomyprejudice，andthereforeleaveitforthefuture。Thisisthegreatcentreonwhichourenemiescanconcentratewhateverforceisnotemployedelsewhere。Detailedstatementofpresentforceinclosedwiththis。
Withgreatrespect，yourobedientservant，W。T。SHERMAN，Brigadier—Generalcommanding。
BRIGADIER—GENERALMcCOOK’SCAMP，ATNOLIN，FIFTY—TWOMILESFROM
LOUISVILLE，KENTUCKY，NOVEMBER4，1861。
FirstBrigade（GeneralROUSSEAU）。—ThirdKentucky，ColonelBulkley;
FourthKentucky，ColonelWhittaker;FirstCavalry，ColonelBoard;
Stone’sbattery;twocompaniesNineteenthUnitedStatesInfantry，andtwocompaniesFifteenthUnitedStatesInfantry，CaptainGilman。
SecondBrigade（GeneralT。J。WOOD）。—Thirty—eighthIndiana，ColonelScribner;Thirty—ninthIndiana，ColonelHarrison;ThirtiethIndiana，ColonelBass;，Twenty—ninthIndiana，ColonelMiller。
ThirdBrigade（GeneralJOHNSON）。—Forty—ninthOhio，ColonelGibson;
FifteenthOhio，ColonelDickey;Thirty—fourthIllinois，ColonelKing;Thirty—secondIndiana，ColonelWillach。
FourthBrigade（GeneralNEGLEY）。—Seventy—seventhPennsylvania，ColonelHambright;Seventy—eighthPennsylvania，ColonelSinnell;
Seventy—ninthPennsylvania，ColonelStambaugh;Battery—，CaptainMueller。
CampDickRobinson（GeneralG。H。THOMAS）。———Kentucky，ColonelBramlette;——Kentucky，ColonelFry;——KentuckyCavalry，ColonelWoolford;FourteenthOhio，ColonelSteadman;FirstArtillery，ColonelBarnett;ThirdOhio，ColonelCarter;——EastTennessee，ColonelByrd。
Bardstown，Kentucky。—TenthIndiana，ColonelManson。
CrabOrchard。—Thirty—thirdIndiana，ColonelCoburn。
Jeffersonville，Indiana。—Thirty—fourthIndiana，ColonelSteele;
Thirty—sixthIndiana，ColonelGross;FirstWisconsin，ColonelStarkweather。
MouthofSaltRiver。—NinthMichigan，ColonelDuffield;Thirty—
seventhIndiana，ColonelHazzard。
LebanonJunction……—SecondMinnesota，ColonelVanCleve。
OlympianSprings。—SecondOhio，ColonelHarris。
Cynthiana，Kentucky。—Thirty—fifthOhio，ColonelVandever。
Nicholasville，Kentucky。—Twenty—firstOhio，ColonelNorton;Thirty—
eighthOhio，ColonelBradley。
BigHill。—SeventeenthOhio，ColonelConnell。
Colesburg。—Twenty—fourthIllinois，ColonelHecker。
Elizabethtown，Kentucky。—NineteenthIllinois，ColonelTurchin。
Owensboro’orHenderson。—Thirty—firstIndiana，ColonelCruft;
ColonelEdwards，formingRockCastle;ColonelBoyle，Harrodsburg;
ColonelBarney，Irvine;ColonelHazzard，Burksville;ColonelHaskins，Somerset。
And，inordertoconcludethissubject，Ialsoaddcopiesoftwotelegraphicdispatches，sentforGeneralMcClellan’suseaboutthesametime，whicharealltheofficiallettersreceivedathisheadquarters，ascertifiedbytheAdjutant—General，L。Thomas，inaletterofFebruary1，1862;inanswertoanapplicationofmybrother，SenatorJohnSherman，andonwhichIwasadjudgedinsane:
Louisville，November3，10p。m。
ToGeneralMcLELLAN，Washington，D。C。:
Dispatchjustreceived。Weareforcedtooperateonthreelines，alldependentonrailroadsofdoubtfulsafety，requiringstrongguards。FromParistoPrestonbnrg，threeOhioregimentsandsomemilitia——enemyvariouslyreportedfromthirty—fivehundredtoseventhousand。FromLexingtontowardCumberlandGap，Brigadier—GeneralThomas，oneIndianaandfiveOhioregiments，twoKentuckyandtwoTennessee;hiredwagonsandbadlyclad。Zollicoffer，atCumberlandFord，aboutseventhousand。LeereportedonthewaywithVirginiareenforcements。InfrontofLouisville，fifty—twomiles，McCook，withfourbrigadesofaboutthirteenthousand，withfourregimentstoguardtherailroad，atalltimesindanger。EnemyalongtherailroadfromGreenRivertoBowlingGreen，Nashville，andClarksville。Buckner，Hardee，SidneyJohnston，Folk，andPillow，thetwoformerinimmediatecommand，theforceaslargeastheywantorcansubsist，fromtwenty—fivetothirtythousand。BowlingGreenstronglyfortified。Ourforcestoosmalltodogood，andtoolargetosacrifice。
W。T。SHERMAN，Brigadier—General。
HEADQUARTERSTHEDEPARTMENTOFTHECUMBERLAND，Louisville，Kentucky，November6，1861
GeneralL。THOMAS，Adjutant—General。
Sir:GeneralMcClellantelegraphsmetoreporttohimdailythesituationofaffairshere。Thecountryissolargethatitisimpossibletogiveclearanddefiniteviews。Ourenemieshaveaterribleadvantageinthefactthatinourmidst，inourcamps，andalongouravenuesoftravel，theyhaveactivepartisans，farmersandbusiness—men，whoseeminglypursuetheirusualcalling，butareinfactspies。Theyreportallourmovementsandstrength，whilewecanprocureinformationonlybycircuitousandunreliablemeans。
Iincloseyouthecopyofaninterceptedletter，whichisbutthetypeofothers。ManymenfromeverypartoftheStatearenowenrolledunderBuckner——havegonetohim——whileourshavetoberaisedinneighborhoods，andcannotbecalledtogetherexceptatlongnotice。ThesevolunteersarebeingorganizedunderthelawsoftheState，andthe10thofNovemberisfixedforthetimeofconsolidatingthemintocompaniesandregiments。ManyofthemarearmedbytheUnitedStatesashomeguards，andmanybyGeneralAndersonandmyself，becauseofthenecessityofbeingarmedtoguardtheircampsagainstinternalenemies。Shouldwebeoverwhelmed，theywouldscatter，andtheirarmsandclothingwillgototheenemy，furnishingtheverymaterialtheysomuchneed。
Weshouldhavehereaverylargeforce，sufficienttogiveconfidencetotheUnionmenoftheabilitytodowhatshouldbedone——possessourselvesofalltheState。Butallseeandfeelwearebroughttoastand—still，andthisproducesdoubtandalarm。
WithourpresentforceitwouldbesimplemadnesstocrossGreenRiver，andyethesitationmaybeasfatal。Inlikemannertheothercolumnsareinperil，notsomuchinfrontasrear，therailroadsoverwhichourstoresmustpassbeingmuchexposed。I
havetheNashvilleRailroadguardedbythreeregiments，yetitisfarfrombeingsafe;and，themomentactualhostilitiescommence，theseroadswillbeinterrupted，andwewillbeinadilemma。TomeetthisinpartIhaveputacargoofprovisionsatthemouthofSaltRiver，guardedbytworegiments。Allthesedetachmentsweakenthemainforce，andendangerthewhole。Donotconclude，asbefore，thatIexaggeratethefacts。Theyareasstated，andthefuturelooksasdarkaspossible。Itwouldbebetterifsomemanofsanguinemindwerehere，forIamforcedtoorderaccordingtomyconvictions。
Yourstruly，W。T。SHERMAN，Brigadier—Generalcommanding。
Afterthewarwasover，GeneralThomasJ。Wood，thenincommandofthedistrictofVicksburg，preparedastatementaddressedtothepublic，describingtheinterviewwiththeSecretaryofWar，whichhecallsa\"CouncilofWar。\"Ididnotthendeemitnecessarytorenewamatterwhichhadbeensweptintooblivionbythewaritself;but，asitisevidencebyaneyewitness，itisworthyofinsertionhere。
STATEMENT。
Onthe11thofOctober，1861，thewriter，whohadbeenpersonallyonmusteringdutyinIndiana，wasappointedabrigadier—generalofvolunteers，andorderedtoreporttoGeneralSherman，thenincommandoftheDepartmentoftheCumberland，withhisheadquartersatLouisville，havingsucceededGeneralRobertAnderson。WhenthewriterwasaboutleavingIndianapolistoproceedtoLouisville，Mr。
Cameron，returningfromhisfamousvisitofinspectiontoGeneralFremont’sdepartment，atSt。Louis，Missouri，arrivedatIndianapolis，andannouncedhisintentiontovisitGeneralSherman。
ThewriterwasinvitedtoaccompanythepartytoLouisville。
TakingtheearlymorningtrainfromIndianapolistoLouisvilleonthe16thofOctober，1861，thepartyarrivedinJeffersonvilleshortlyaftermid—day。GeneralShermanmetthepartyinJeffersonville，andaccompaniedittotheGaltHouse，inLouisville，thehotelatwhichhewasstopping。
DuringtheafternoonGeneralShermaninformedthewriterthatacouncilofwarwastobeheldimmediatelyinhisprivateroominthehotel，anddesiredhimtobepresentatthecouncil。GeneralShermanandthewriterproceededdirectlytotheroom。Thewriterenteredtheroomfirst，andobservedinitMr。Cameron，Adjutant—
GeneralL。Thomas，andsomeotherpersons，allofwhosenameshedidnotknow，butwhomherecognizedasbeingofMr。Cameron’sparty。Thenameofoneofthepartythewriterhadlearned，whichheremembersasWilkinson，orWilkerson，andwhoheunderstoodwasawriterfortheNewYorkTribunenewspaper。TheHon。JamesGuthriewasalsointheroom，havingbeeninvited，onaccountofhiseminentpositionasacitizenofKentucky，hishighcivicreputation，andhiswell—knowndevotiontotheUnion，tomeettheSecretaryofWarinthecouncil。WhenGeneralShermanenteredtheroomheclosedthedoor，andturnedthekeyinthelock。
Beforeenteringonthebusinessofthemeeting，GeneralShermanremarkedsubstantially:\"Mr。Cameron，wehavemetheretodiscussmattersandinterchangeviewswhichshouldbeknownonlybypersonshighintheconfidenceoftheGovernment。TherearepersonspresentwhomIdonotknow，andIdesiretoknow，beforeopeningthebusinessofthecouncil，whethertheyarepersonswhomaybeproperlyallowedtoheartheviewswhichIhavetosubmittoyou。\"
Mr。Cameronreplied，withsomelittletestinessofmanner，thatthepersonsreferredtobelongedtohisparty，andtherewasnoobjectiontotheirknowingwhatevermightbecommunicatedtohim。
CertainlythelegitimateandnaturalconclusionfromthisremarkofMr。Cameron’swasthatwhateverviewsmightbesubmittedbyGeneralShermanwouldbeconsideredundertheprotectionofthesealofsecrecy，andwouldnotbedivulgedtothepublictillallapprehensionofinjuriousconsequencesfromsuchdisclosurehadpassed。Anditmayberemarked，further，thatjusticetoGeneralShermanrequiredthatif，atanyfuturetime，hisconclusionsastotheamountofforcenecessarytoconducttheoperationscommittedtohischargeshouldbemadepublic，thegroundsonwhichhisconclusionswerebasedshouldbemadepublicatthesametime。
Mr。CameronthenaskedGeneralShermanwhathisplanswere。TothisGeneralShermanrepliedthathehadnoplans;thatnosufficientforcehadbeenplacedathisdispositionwithwhichtodeviseanyplanofoperations;that，beforeacommandinggeneralcouldprojectaplanofcampaign，hemustknowwhatamountofforcehewouldhavetooperatewith。
ThegeneraladdedthathehadviewswhichhewouldbehappytosubmitfortheconsiderationoftheSecretary。Mr。CamerondesiredtohearGeneralSherman’sviews。
GeneralShermanbeganbygivinghisopinionofthepeopleofKentucky，andthethenconditionoftheState。HeremarkedthathebelievedaverylargemajorityofthepeopleofKentuckywerethoroughlydevotedtotheUnion，andloyaltotheGovernment，andthattheUnionistsembracedalmostalltheolderandmoresubstantialmenintheState;but，unfortunately，therewasnoorganizationnorarmsamongtheUnionmen;thattherebelminority，thoroughlyvindictiveinitssentiments，wasorganizedandarmed（thishavingbeendoneinadvancebytheirleaders），and，beyondthereachoftheFederalforces，overawedandpreventedtheUnionmenfromorganizing;that，inhisopinion，ifFederalprotectionwereextendedthroughouttheStatetotheUnionmen，alargeforcecouldberaisedfortheserviceoftheGovernment。
GeneralShermannextpresentedaresumeoftheinformationinhispossessionastothenumberoftherebeltroopsinKentucky。
CommencingwiththeforceatColumbus，Kentucky，thereportsvaried，givingthestrengthfromtentotwentythousand。ItwascommandedbyLieutenant—GeneralPolk。GeneralShermanfixeditatthelowestestimate;say，tenthousand。TheforceatBowlingGreen，commandedbyGeneral。A。S。Johnston，supportedbyHardee，Buckner，andothers，wasvariouslyestimatedatfromeighteentothirtythousand。GeneralShermanestimatedthisforceatthelowestfiguresgiventoitbyhisinformation——eighteenthousand。
Heexplainedthat，forpurposesofdefense，thesetwoforcesought，owingtothefacilitywithwhichtroopsmightbetransportedfromonetotheother，bythenet—workofrailroadsinMiddleandWestTennessee，tobeconsideredalmostasone。GeneralShermanremarked，also，onthefacilitywithwhichreinforcementscouldbetransportedbyrailroadtoBowlingGreen，fromtheotherrebellionsStates。
ThethirdorganizedbodyofrebeltroopswasinEasternKentucky，underGeneralZollicoffer，estimated，accordingtothemostreliableinformation，atsixthousandmen。Thisforcethreatenedadescent，ifunrestrained，ontheblue—grassregionofKentucky，includingthecitiesofLexington，andFrankfort，thecapitaloftheState;andifsuccessfulinitsprimarymovements，asitwouldgatherheadasitadvanced，mightendangerthesafetyofCincinnati。
GeneralShermansaidthattheinformationinhispossessionindicatedanintention，onthepartoftherebels，ofageneralandgrandadvancetowardtheOhioRiver。Hefurtherexpressedtheopinionthat，ifsuchadvanceshouldbemade，andnotchecked，therebelforcewouldbeswollenbyatleasttwentythousandrecruitsfromthedisloyalistsinKentucky。HislowcomputationoftheorganizedrebelsoldierstheninKentuckyfixedthestrengthataboutthirty—fivethousand。AddtwentythousandforreenforcementsgainedinKentucky，tosaynothingoftroopsdrawnfromotherrebelStates，andtheeffectiverebelforceintheState，atalowestimate，wouldbefifty—fivethousandmen。
GeneralShermanexplainedforciblyhowlargelythedifficultiesofsuppressingtherebellionwouldbeenhanced，iftherebelsshouldbeallowedtoplantthemselvesfirmly，withstrongfortifications，atcommandingpointsontheOhioRiver。ItwouldbefacileforthemtocarrythewarthenceintotheloyalStatesnorthoftheriver。
Toresistanadvanceoftherebels，GeneralShermanstatedthathedidnothaveatthattimeinKentuckymorethansometwelvetofourteenthousandeffectivemen。ThebulkofthisforcewaspostedatcampNolin，ontheLouisville&NashvilleRailway，fiftymilessouthofLouisville。ApartofitwasinEasternKentucky，underGeneralGeorgeH。Thomas，andaverysmallforcewasinthelowervalleyofGreenRiver。
Thisdispositionoftheforcehadbeenmadeforthedoublepurposeofwatchingandcheckingtherebels，andprotectingtheraisingandorganizationoftroopsamongtheUnionmenofKentucky。
Havingexplainedthesituationfromthedefensivepointofview，GeneralShermanproceededtoconsideritfromtheoffensivestand—point。TheGovernmenthadundertakentosuppresstherebellion;theonusfaciendi，therefore，restedontheGovernment。
Therebellioncouldneverbeputdown，theauthorityoftheparamountGovernmentasserted，andtheunionoftheStatesdeclaredperpetual，byforceofarms，bymaintainingthedefensive;toaccomplishthesegranddesiderata，itwasabsolutelynecessarytheGovernmentshouldadopt，andmaintainuntiltherebellionwascrushed，theoffensive。
ForthepurposeofexpellingtherebelsfromKentucky，GeneralShermansaidthatatleastsixtythousandsoldierswerenecessary。
Consideringthatthemeansofaccomplishmentmustalwaysbeproportionedtotheendtobeachieved，andbearinginmindthearrayofrebelforcetheninKentucky，everysensiblemanmustadmitthattheestimateoftheforcegivenbyGeneralSherman，fordrivingtherebelsoutoftheState，andreestablishingandmaintainingtheauthorityoftheGovernment，wasaverylowone。
Thetruthisthat，beforetherebelsweredrivenfromKentucky，manymorethansixtythousandsoldiersweresentintotheState。
AscendingfromtheconsiderationofthenarrowquestionofthepoliticalandmilitarysituationinKentucky，andtheextentofforcenecessarytoredeemtheStatefromrebelthraldom，forecastinginhissagaciousintellectthegrandanddaringoperationswhich，threeyearsafterward，herealizedinacampaign，takeninitsentirety，withoutaparallelinmoderntimes，GeneralShermanexpressedtheopinionthat，tocarrythewartotheGulfofMexico，anddestroyallarmedoppositiontotheGoverment，intheentireMississippiValley，atleasttwohundredthousandtroopswereabsolutelyrequisite。
SosoonasGeneralShermanhadconcludedtheexpressionofhisviews，Mr。Cameronasked，withmuchwarmthandapparentirritation，\"Wheredoyousuppose，GeneralSherman，allthisforceistocomefrom。\"GeneralShermanrepliedthathedidnotknow;thatitwasnothisdutytoraise，organize，andputthenecessarymilitaryforceintothefield;thatdutypertainedtotheWarDepartment。
Hisdutywastoorganizecampaignsandcommandthetroopsaftertheyhadbeenputintothefield。
Atthispointoftheproceedings，GeneralShermansuggestedthatitmightbeagreeabletotheSecretarytoheartheviewsofMr。
Guthrie。Thusappealedto，Mr。Guthriesaidhedidnotconsiderhimself，beingacivilian，competenttogiveanopinionastotheextentofforcenecessarytoparrythewartotheGulfofMexico;
but，beingwellinformedoftheconditionofthingsinKentucky，heindorsedfullyGeneralSherman’eopinionoftheforcerequiredtodrivetherebelsoutoftheState。
Theforegoingisacircumstantialaccountofthedeliberationsofthecouncilthatwereofanyimportance。
Agooddealofdesultoryconversationfollowed，onimmaterialmatters;andsomeorderswereissuedbytelegraph，bytheSecretaryofWar，forsomesmallreenforcementstobesenttoKentuckyimmediately，fromPennsylvaniaandIndiana。
Ashorttimeafterthecouncilwasheld——theexacttimeisnotnowrememberedbythewriter——animperfectnarrativeofitappearedintheNowYorkTribune。ThisaccountannouncedtothepublictheconclusionsutteredbyGeneralShermaninthecouncil，withoutgivingthereasonsonwhichhisconclusionswerebased。TheunfairnessofthiscoursetoGeneralShermanneedsnocomment。AllmilitarymenwereshockedbythegrossbreachoffaithwhichhadbeencommittedTH。J。WOOD，Major—GeneralVolunteeersVicksburg，Mississippi，August24，1886。
Brigadier—GeneralDonCarlosBuellarrivedatLouisvilleaboutthemiddleofNovember，withorderstorelieveme，andIwastransferredfordutytotheDepartmentoftheMissouri，andorderedtoreportinpersontoMajor—GeneralH。W。HalleckatSt。Louis。I
accompaniedGeneralBuelltothecampatNolin，wherehereviewedandinspectedthecampandtroopsunderthecommandofGeneralA。
McD。McCook，andonourwaybackGeneralBuellinspectedtheregimentofHazzardatElizabethtown。Ithenturnedovermycommandtohim，andtookmydepartureforSt。Louis。
AtthetimeIwassorelievedIthought，ofcourse，itwasdoneinfulfillmentofMr。Lincoln’spromisetome，andasanecessaryresultofmyrepeateddemandforthefulfillmentofthatpromise;