The National tribune., 1896-09-17
,eyond the reach Of the Federal forces, over

| beyond the reach Of the Federal forces over
| awcd and prevented the Union men from or
ganizing; that. in his opinion if Federal pro-
lection were extended throughout tho State to
! the Union men. a large force could be raised
for the service of the Govern mont
Gen. Sherman next presented a rssame of the
information in his possession as to the number
OF the rebel troops in Kentucky. Commencing
with the force ut Columbus Ky. tho reports
varied giving the strength from 10000 to
10000. 1t was commanded by Lient.-Gep
Polk. Gen. Sherman fixed il at the lowest
estimate; say. 10000. The force at Bowling
Green. commanded by Gen. A. 8. Johnston.
supported by Hardes. Buckner. and Others,
was vsrioEsly estimated at from Is 900 to
10000. Gen. Sherman estimated this force at
the lowest figures given to it By his informa-
tion-1S000
de explained that, for purposes of defense.
these two forces ought, owing to the facility
with which troops might be transported from
one to the other. By the net. work of railroads
III middle and west Tennessee, to be considered
almost as one Gen. Sherman remarked Also
on the facility with which reinforcements
could be transported by railroad to Bowling
Green from the other rcbeIIious States
The third organized body OF rebel troops was
N eastern Kentucky, under Gen. Zofliceffsr,
estimated, according to the most reliable in
formation, at 6000 men. This force threat
ened descent. il unrestrainsd, on the blue-
grass region OF Kentucky. including the cities
of Lexington and Frankfort, the Capital of
the State; and if successful in its primary
movements. as it would gather head as it ad.
vanced, might endanger the safety at Cinciu-
natl.
Gen. Sherman said that the information in
his possession indicated an intention on the
part OF the rebels of a general and grand ad-
vance toward the Ohio River. He further ex-
pressed the opinion that, if such adj dvance should
be made. and not checked, the rebel force would
be swollen by at least 90, 600 recruits from the
oisioyaiists in Kentucky. His low computa-
tlon of the organized rebel soldiers then in
Kentucky fixed the strength at about 35. OOO
Add 10000 for reinforcements gained in Ken
tncky, to say nothing of troops drawn from
other rebel States, and the effective rebel force
In the State, at low estimate, would be 5000
men.
Gen. Sherman explained forcibly how largely
the difficulties of suppressng the rebellion
would be enhanced If the rebels should be al
lowed to plant themselves firmly, with strong
fortlhcations, at commanding points on the
Ohio River. 1t would be facile for them to
carry the war thence into the loyal States north
Of the river.
10 resist an advance of the rebels, Gen. Sher-
man stated that he did not have at that time
IN kentncky more than some 1900 to 1400O
effective men. The bulk of this force was
posted Mt Camp Nolin, on the Louisville &
Nashville Railway. SO miles south of Louisville
A part OF it was in eastern Kentucky, under
Gen. George H. Thomas, and very small force
was In the lower valley of Green River.
This disposition of the force had been made
for the double purpose Of watching and check
ing the rebels. and protecting the raising and
organization of troops among the Union men
Of Kentucky.
Having explained the situation from the de-
fenslve point OF view, Gen. Sherman proceeded
to consider it from the offensive STANDPOINT.
The Government had undertaken to suppress
the rebeIlion; the onus faciendi. therefore,
rested on the Government. The rebellion could
never be put down, the authority Of the para-
mount Government asserted, and the union
OF the States declared perpetual, by force of
arms, by maintaing the defensive; to ACCOM-
pfIsh these grand desidcrata, it was absolutely
necessary the Government should adopt, and
maintain until the rebellion was crushed. the
efe1asire.
For the purpose of expalling the rebeis from
Kentucky. Gen. Sherman said that at least
$4,000 soldiers were necessary. Considering that
tho means of Rccom piishrnent must ALWAYS be
proportioned to the end to he achieved, and
bearing In mind the array of rebel force then
IN Kentucky, every sensible man must admit
that the estimate of the force given by Gen.
Sherman for driving the rcbels out of the State
anu re.estabIshing and maintaining the au-
thority OF tho Government. was q very low one.
The truth is, that before the rebels were driven
from Kentucky many more than sc, 900 soldiers
wero sent into the State.
Ascending from the consideration of the mar
row question OF the political and military stu
alton IN Kentucky, and the extent of force
necessary to redeem tho State from rebel thral-
dom. forecasting in his ssgacious intellect the
grand and daring operations which, three years
afserwHrd, he reaiized In campaign, taken in
us entirety, without . parallel in modern
times, Gen. Sherman expressed the opinion
that, to carry the war to tho Gulf of Mexico,
and destroy NIL armed opposition to the Gov
ernmcnt In the entire Mississippi Valley, at
least 100000 troops were absolutely requisite.
So soon as Gen. Sherman had concluded the
expression of his views, Mr. Cameron asked,
with much warmth and apparent irritation,
Where do you suppose, Gen. Sherman, all this
force is to come frDm?" Gen. Sherman replied
that he did not know; that it was not his duty
to raise. organize. and put the necessary mill
tary ferce into the field; that duty pertained
to The War Department. His duty was to Or
ganize campaigns and command the troops after
they had been put into the field.
At this point of the proceedings Gen. SheP.
man suggested that it might be agreeable to
the Secretary to hear the views of Mr.. Guthrie
Thus appealed to. Mr.. Guthrie said he did not
consider himself, being civilian, competent to
give an opinion as to the extent of force neces-
sary to carry the war to the Gulf of Mexico;
bnt, being we'll informed of the condition of
things in Kentucky, he Endorsed fully Gen.
sherman's opinion of the force required to drive
the rebels out of the State
The foregoing is circumstantial account of
the deliberations of the council that were of
any importance
A good deal of desultory conversation fol-
lowed, on immateriul matters; and some orders
were issued by telegraph. by the Secretary of
War. for some small reinforcements to be sent
to Kentucky Immediately, from Pennsylvania
and Indiana.
A short time after the council was held-the
exact time is not now remembered by the
TILE NATIOMAl 7