Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-03-11
(Privats.l
HEADQUARTERS WEsTERH DsPARTHENT, !
September 8, 1851.

(Privste.l
'HEApoUARTERs WEsTERH DEPARTMENT,
September 8, 1851.
ITO THE President:
any DEAR SIR-I send By another hand
what ask you to consider in respect to the
subject of the note BY your special messen-
ger.
SIN this l desire to aak your attention to
the position Of affairs In Kentucky. As the
rebel troops driven out from Missouri, had
invaded Kentucky in considerable force, and
by occupying Union City, Hickman and
Columbus, were preparing to seize Paducah
shd attack Cairo, judged it impossible,
without losing important advantages, TO defer
any longer forward movement For this
purpose have drawn from the Missouri side
part Of the force which had been stationed
at Birds Point Cairo and Cape Girardeau, to
Fort Holt and Paducah, Of which places we
have taken possession.
As The rebel forces outnumber ours, and
the counties Of Kentucky between the Mis-
sissippi and Tennessee rivers, as well as
those along the latter and the Cumberland,
are strongly secessionist, It becomes impera-
lively necessary 10 have the cooperation of
the loyal Union forces under Generals An
denon and Nelson, as well as those already
encamped opposite Louisville under Colonel
Rousseau. l have Reinforced, yesterday,
Paducah with two regiments, and viii con-
tinue to strengthen the position with men
and artillery. As soon as Gen. Smith, who
commands there, is reinforced sufficiently
for him to spread his forces, he will
have to take and hold Msy6eld
and LovelaceViIle, TO be in the rear
and flank Of Columbus, and 10 oc-
cupy smithlsnd, controlling in this way the
msuths Of both the Tennessee and the Cum
berland rivers. iu1a t1ts
At the same time, Col. Rosseau should
bring his force, increased, if possible by two
Ohio regiments, in boats to Henderson, aud
taking the Henderson and Nashville Rail
road, occupy Hopkinsville, while General
Nelson should go with force of ave thou
sand by railroad to Louisville, and from
there to Bowling Green. As the population
in all the counties through which the above
railroads pass are loyal, this movement could
be made without delay or moleststion to the
troops. Meanwhile Gen. Grant would take
possession of the entire Cairo and Fulton
Railroad, Piketon, New Madrid and the
shore of the Mississippi opposite Hickman and
Columbus. .lFE.f .f- ,
The foregoing disposition having been ef-
fected, combined aftack viii be made upon
Columbus, and If successful in that upon
Hickman, while Rousseau and Nelson viii
move in concert by railroad, to Nashville,
Tennessee, occupying the State capitol, and,
with an adequate force, New Providence
The conclusion Of this movement would be
combined advance towards Memphis, on the
Mississippi, ss well ~ the Memphis and Ohio
railroad, and trust the result would be q
glorious one to the country. In reply to q
letter from Gen. Sherman, by the hand of
Judge Williams, in relation to the vast i'm
portance of securing possession in advance
Of the country lying between the Ohio, Ten
nessee and Mississippi, have to-day suggest
ed the 6rst part Of the preceding plan. By
extending my command TO Indiana, Tennes-
see and Kentucky, you will enable me to at
tempt the accomplishment of this all-impor-
tant result and in order to secure the secrecy
necessary to its success, shall not extend
the communication which have made to
General Sherman, or repeat it to any one
else. With high respect and regard,
| am, very truly yours,
] q FREMONTD