Headquarters Department of the Ohio,
Cincinnati, May 14, 1861.
Lieut. Col. E. D. Townsend,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
Colonel: Some ten days since I dispatched Lieut. O. M. Poe, Topo graphical Engineers, on a reconnaissance of the southeastern frontier of this State. His trip extended from Portsmouth to Wheeling, whence he returned last night. His opinion is that the frontier in that direction is in no immediate danger; that a small collection of militia on the Kana wha, some twenty miles above its mouth, is the only encampment on that frontier; that the border inhabitants of Eastern Kentucky are eminently loyal, while the Western Virginians from the Kentucky line to Parkersburg are rotten, but loyal above the latter point. It is also his opinion that a display of troops immediately on the frontier, unless with a view of crossing over, would be injudicious at the present moment. These opinions are corroborated by other information in my possession and seem to me sound.
At the present moment I am more anxious about Cairo than any other point, and strongly urge that the heavy guns needed for that point may be forwarded at once. It seems that all the carriages for the heavy guns and most of the guns intended for me have to come from Watervliet and other Eastern arsenals. It is my opinion that at least six heavy guns, say three 8-inch howitzers and three 24-pounders, should be at Cairo in the shortest possible time. I will endeavor to go to Cairo to-day; shall certainly send Captain Benham there immediately on his arrival. I design so covering the batteries as to render them secure against assault, and would again urge the importance of occupying Bird’s Point, on the Missouri side. It will probably be necessary to intrench a small force at Mound City to cover the rear of Cairo. I have been anxiously awaiting Major Bell, of the ordnance, for the last day or two, that he may at once take steps toward the manufacture of infantry accouterments and the preparation of ammunition. Arms will be issued to all the Ohio Volunteers by to-morrow. I deferred it until it could be done with regularity and to afford the opportunity of making some progress in organization and discipline before placing arms in their hands. To revert to Cairo, the presence of some armed steamers there seems to me indispensable and to admit of no delay. Is it not necessary here to provide some limited means of transportation?
I have the honor to be, colonel, very respectfully,y our obedient servant,
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General, Commanding Department.