ORs: (CS) Message to Gen. Henry Heth - October 20, 1862

War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies
Series 1, Volume 16, Part 2, Page 971-2

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF KENTUCKY,
Flat Lick, Ky., October 20, 1862—8 a. m.

Brig. Gen. HENRY HETH,
Commanding:

GENERAL:
The major-general commanding directs me to say he has received a dispatch from Colonel Wheeler at Pitman’s Cross-Roads, dated October 19,1.30 p. m. Pitman’s Cross-Roads is where the Crab Orchard road comes in. Colonel Wheeler states that the enemy’s pickets were 1 mile this side of the point where the Wild Cat road debouches. They advance slowly, driving in the cavalry, with their infantry. Colonel Butler, with two regiments of cavalry, fell back from Mershon’s Cross-Roads by the Manchester road. He will therefore assist in covering General Stevenson’s rear. Colonel Wheeler was obstructing the Crab Orchard road as he fell back, the enemy cutting away the obstructions as they came on. General Smith desires YOU to send this information to General Stevenson, and that both you and he keep your cavalry well to the rear, with instructions to obstruct the road as far as practicable and to forward all information with dispatch.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. CUNNINGHAM,
Acting Aide-de-Camp.