The New York herald., 1862-01-28
IMPORTANT FROM KENTUCKY.
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GENERAL BUELL's COLUMN.

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GENERAL BUELL'S COLUMN.
MUNfoRDsvnIx, KY, Jan. 16, 1882
The ADVANCE Of the Union Army kesucky-The Period
of Pveparason-G Buell. Nearly Rsady-Slrengh
Campaigp-Tke ImpedimeMk Ya N he Way, dc.
Correspondents Of the st. Louis Republican,
Ins Rrsade 81 & TO the martial drama. that win soon be
ct has nearly passed away The work Of forming the
cd In mighty columns from the banks Of the Potomac TO
the confines Of Kansas, is almost accomplished
passing upon the achievements Of the present com
the first place that only four months have elapsed
the nrst Northern soldier entered upon Kentucky SOIL
and but little than two since General Buell. assumed
the chief command. Again, previous TO his admins
tration, the Importance Of organizing strong
IN both for for the Of the
tral rebeous States. seemed to bs hardly recognized
by the federal government. Only fresh leves, just
uniformed displayed at the disposal of Generals An
derson and Sherman and after the latter had been
relieved by General Buell., with the exception Of few
summers campaign In Western Virginia, but
recruits ordered into this State Tho material
excellent, yet was wanting in all the characteristics Of
sodiery but the Furthermore while in the army
concentrated about Washington and even in the Depart
% ment Of the West, the labors Of the Commandersn-
perienced officers General Buell. had the benefit Of the
cooperation Of but few experienced officers He had
but also ignorant officers to deal with Both had to be
taught their duties, and hence it would have been
source OF just complaints had the work Of organic tion
under his auspices progressed slower in this State than
in any other part of the Union.
But notwithstanding these many and heavy obstacles,
any one familiar with the relative average efficiency of
the vast federal army gathered In kentucky will
say, that Gen. Buell. has accomplished, II not all that
could be desired, at least much circumstances
would allow. without intending to disparage the cha
racter Of tho troops in other parts Of the West
yet venture to say that the bulk Of Gen. Bues array s
tha
mand Of Gen. Mcclellan and although the latter has had
several months more time for the perfection of his
for aggressive movements It is certain all events,
that forward" on the Potomac would not be mega
lively responded to by not ready" on Grcon river
In many respects additional time would work q still
greater improvement. But believe that should tho
signal Of action be given today, Gen. Buell. would be
with the exception Iowa. Missouri and Kansas every
Western State represented by moro less regiments
OF the Eastern states, only Pennsylvania has troops in
this State Ohio has sent the largest contingent Of all
over thirty regiments Indiana is q few behind this
number Next comes Pennsylvania with five, Illinois
with three Michigan with three. Wisconsin with three
and Minnesota with two. Ohio Indiana and Pennsylva-
na have sent strong compliments OF cavalry and artil
lory and Michigan Wisconsin and Minnesota. each some
organized in this Stato There are, like
wise, two regiments Of exiled Tennessee Unionists.
Three thousand newly recruited rogularsinantry and
cavalry--are also stationed In this department. The
whole force consists OF about hundred thousand in
fantry eovon thousand cavalry and three thousand
I'll, ,ersts divided into some twenty odd batteries.
O. this immense force probably seventcnths will take
the field Tho remaining three, composed of tho most
lately organized corps or the three OF the service
will form reserve 10 bo employed in post and escort
duties.
The regiments Intended for active service havo been
duly organized into brigados and tho brgadss combined
into divisions. OF the latter thsro yo rcspcc
by Brgadier Generals McCook, Thomas Nell
SON. Mitchell and Crttenden. They embody from two
Eve brgades each with corresponding complement Of
artillery and cavalry. General Crtendens tho small
cst and General Thomas tho largest The most effective
al ufo1
several divisions and the only disparity between them
lies in numerical strength. Among the brigade com-
and Wood under General McCook: General Dumont and
Acting Brigadic.s Tarchn and Haskal, under General
Mitchell; Acting Brigadiers Sell and Ammon, Under &C.
neral Noson and General schocT, Ward, Boyle Carter
and Acting Brgadier Manson, undcr General Thomas.
General Thomas division, at this moment, holds the
most southerly positiona portion having advanced
far South Burkosvlle the Cumberland and within
fifteen miles Of tho State ne another being stationed
twenty miles further up the rivor, and the romain
threatened the front OF tho rebel forces under
ZollicofIcr, near Somerset. General McCook's
General a s Mitchell at Bacon Creek, near ar the
line Of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad General
Nelson's still further north and moro to tho right Gene
raj Crittcn which had been stationed for time
in tho vicinity o Calhoun the Lower Green river was
moving according to latest accounts in tho direction OF
South Carroton.
Tho rorsrve is now boing organized at Bardsown and
will probably advance to Green river grand
forward movement shall take place.
of tho Union for the aggressive employment Of our ar
mics will be relieved In this department by movement
upon Tcnnc depends, believe NJ the dovelope
men OF matters in ether quarters rather than in this
As already stated above the preparations in this State
for the impending campagn. although not completed
have vet progressed far to enable General Biol to
take the offensive should he receive orders to that effect
at almost twenty -four hours notice. But 1t cannot OF
course be presumed for moment that he will be r.,
auircd 70 open the ball single handed The centre OF tho
grand army OF the Union will not move and tho two
wings tho Potomac and the Mississippi be allowed TO
al. hate fha 1fo .f naV
Mcclellan may be, everything goes to indicate that a
simultaneous attack will be made at all points by tho
federal forces and hence symptoms Of activity need not
be looked for in this department until the columns OF
loyal soldiery in other laudcs shall show signs OF mo-
tion. Battles will occur no sooner in tho southern part
of this State than Columbus Winchester Fortress
Monroe, Beaufort, and perhaps also hanassas.
The only remaining drawbacks in this department
that might be pleaded as impcdmcnIs to an alvance
although they would not prove absolutely in
case OF necessity, first, the insuicency OF trans
poraton and secondly the rather unpromising sanitary
condition Of the troops As 70 the former the fact that
the army likely to enjoy railroad facilities south f
this point-at least not until the State Is ofectualy
cleared of rebel rasand that the insurgents arc strip
will of everything In tho shape Of grain and fod
DER will necessitats an ample supply Of teams for over
turned out by for this department who
the greatest part Of the draft animals mules equr
ing breaking IN.
ing violence truth to assert that satisfactory
The sickness has been. and is still, very great in many
regiments. Fevers OF dheront typos. the measles and
other camp dseases have greatly reduced their effective
strength. Nor ~ this to be wondered At They all
composed OF accustomed to the comfort, regu-
larity and VIII lssomoncss OF Dict &c, OF civil life
until transposcd OF sudden amidst the hareships OF
camp life In the wintcr. Tho slow marching and
posure to rain and cold while inadequately supplied
with clothing OF these underwent during
tho notorious expedition towards the Cumberland
Gap and campaign In Eastern Kentucky, under Gene
raj Nelson also had disastrous oect upon their health
from which they have not yet recovered Another
of the thinning Of their ranks by sickness the incom-
rctency Of mSny Of tho medical men connected with tho
army During the last ten days the distressing weather
TINT nnntorruptcdly prevailed in these parts resulted
likewise In considerable increase OF the sick lists. The