1.) People like people. Your chosen subject may well be deeply important, serious and scientific, but that shouldn’t stop you from demonstrating it through real life human experience: somewhere out there is a real person ready to tell their story and engage YOUR audience, find them! According to Al Morrow at Met Film Production, a bit of gentle humour could also set your idea apart from the masses.

2.) Haven’t got a big broadcaster on side? Never fear, DO IT YOURSELF!  Andy Heathcote is an advocate of the DIY approach and his latest film The Moo Man has just premiered at Sundance. Raising the funds to produce and self-distribute your film through crowdfunding sites like IndieGoGo and Kickstarter is a seriously viable option, and as Chris Jones pointed out, all the money to make YOUR film is out there- if you don’t access it someone else will.

3.) Don’t forget the personal touch goes for marketing too- present your own crowdfunding appeal video and use your own name and headshot in social media to maximise people’s trust and confidence in you and your idea. Crucially, be persistent! To maximise awareness and interest in your film you MUST engage your audience through social media, even before production begins. If Twitter seems daunting why not start with a WordPress blog and build from there?

4.) NEVER let budget get in the way! According to Shoot Blue Hire, there’s always a deal to be done, so even if something seems way out of your price range, be honest about your budget and you may get a pleasant surprise.

5.) Be flexible. Remember documentary is about capturing real life, not dictating it, so try to be as unobtrusive as possible when filming. Jerry Rothwell used his film Town of  Runners to demonstrate the importance of selecting your camera postion before the action unfolds, so that you can respond to your subjects without interfering in delicate situations.

6.) Let your protagonists lead you. Giving marginalised characters a platform for self-expression is often equally as important as the film’s form, so think about allowing people to put themselves forward as a subject and then letting them interact or ignore the camera as they wish, as Kim Longinotto discussed regarding her films Sisters in Law: Stories from a Cameroon Court and Shinjuku Boys.

7.) Music and sound are just as important as image. DEFINITELY consider hiring a professional sound technician with his recording equipment, because if your mic didn’t pick up that witty off-the-cuff remark, it’s lost forever. Your documentary could also benefit from a professionally composed score: Ed White and Tom Howe explained that you can create meaning through musical motifs.

8.) As a creative arty type you might turn your nose up at all that legal stuff, but THINK ABOUT COPYRIGHT AND CLEARANCE before you start! You’re film’s not going to be taken on by a distributer unless you’ve got clearance for all pre-existing music or footage and ALL the performers and subjects involved in the filmmaking process. Both Tariq Sayfoo of RT Cooper Solicitors and Craig McCall, director of Cameraman: the Life and Work of Jack Cardiff agreed on one thing: clearance is cheaper than court!

9.) Be daring. Documentary doesn’t have to mean talking heads- if you’ve got a topic but no story, make one! That’s not to say you have to go undercover to expose crime like Chris Atkins did for Dispatches’s Watching the Detectives, or get held at gunpoint in the War on Drugs like Rachel Seifert for Cocaine Unwrapped, but their films prove that first hand footage will get your cause or subject noticed.

10.) It’s NEVER too late, and NOTHING can stand in your way! Whatever your subject may be, if it has caught your attention it’s worth sharing, so believe in your idea and follow it through. With no previous experience and against all the odds, first time filmmakers Guy Natanel and Afarin Eghbal both broke into the industry in a storm, with their films Scent of Strawberries and Abuelas respectively, the latter even being awarded a BAFTA nomination. YOU COULD BE NEXT!

Got a doc? SUBMIT IT NOW TO LOS ANGELES, LONDON AND LIVERPOOL LIFT-OFF FILM FESTIVALS!

We’re ‘looking beyond the gloss’, for raw talent and excellent storytelling in YOUR feature length or short documentary.

For more information about the Doc Summit click here!

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Photo: A U.S. Air Force EQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle waits for its takeoff time before its first launch from an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. The EQ-4 carries the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN), which acts as a persistent gateway, bridging diverse tactical data links and voice communications to improve battlefield communications. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Harris)

General ROSECRANS:

I did not understand from Colonel Loring that I was to send regiments to Nashville and Carthage both, in exchange for the Tennessee regiments. I supposed I was to send two regiments and a battery to Carthage, and take the three Tennessee regiments with me, and have made arrangements for sending for the three regiments to Nashville.

I will answer as to where I will have the pack-mules sent when I get your answer as to the regiments at Carthage.

A.E. BURNSIDE.

**********

CINCINNATI, May 23, 1863.

General WILLCOX, Lexington, Ky.:

I have ordered a telegraph line to be built from Paris to Mount Sterling. Colonel (R.R.) Maltby is in Maysville by this time, with about 300 of the Tenth and Fourteenth Kentucky Cavalry, and will be at Mount Sterling in two or three days. Keep your scouts well out in the direction of Whitesburg. I do not believe the force there as large as represented. I have notified General White at Louisa.

Your old division will not be separated from your command. If Carter keeps his scouts well down toward Jamestown, there will hardly be a chance for a cavalry raid through Liberty. Jamestown, Creelsborough, and Burkesville have been ordered to be occupied by Jacob’s cavalry. With so long a line it is impossible to avoid leaving some weak places. Gillmore will be sent you as soon as he returns. I have authority from the Secretary of War to muster in the Tennessee officers, and you are authorized to order your commissary to muster in the quartermaster of the Fifth Tennessee. The Sixty-fifth Illinois has arrived; will be in Lexington on Wednesday or Thursday.

A.E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General.

**********

HDQRS. FOURTH DIVISION OF CENTRAL KENTUCKY,

Somerset, Ky., May 23, 1863.

Brig. Gen. O.B. WILLCOX,

Commanding District of Central Kentucky, Lexington:

GENERAL: An examination of a map of Wayne and Clinton Counties will show you how exceedingly difficult it will be to meet the rebels now there on anything like equal terms, if acted against only from this direction. From Monticello there is the right-hand road, leading to Albany, another running east, called the “Jacksborough road,” from which a road branches leading to Jamestown, Tenn. Going south from Monticello is the main Jamestown road. One mile out there is another, branching from this to the left, leading to the same place. Five miles out on main Jamestown road, there is a fork, the right hand going to Albany, and coming into the Albany road first mentioned about 7 miles to south and west of Monticello. If the enemy is unwilling to fight, he can take one or all the above-mentioned ways, and concentrate at Jamestown or Livingston, or he can fall back to some of the almost impregnable positions on the main Jamestown and Albany roads, and there make a stand.

From the best information I now have of the position of the rebel forces, I have no idea we can do more than come up with their rear guard, if they are unwilling to fight. If a force can cross the river at Burkesville, or, better still, at Celina or Martinsburg, and move rapidly on Albany, the main Jamestown and Livingston roads would be closed. If that force would then move in direction of Jamestown, while this command acted against the enemy from this direction, we might cut them off or capture many of them, as the only way by which they could escape would be over the Jacksborough road from Monticello. Should the enemy show a willingness to fight, our two forces could act in concert, so as to lessen, as far as possible, the probability of their making their escape.

With regard to the movement you have ordered, from a point some 8 miles south of Monticello the country is broken and poor, until you reach the vicinity of Jamestown. There the country is more open, but still so poor that nothing can be obtained in the way of forage.

I speak now of the main road. This passes a very strong position 9 miles this side of Jamestown, known as “Three Forks of Wolf.” There the rebels, as early as the fall of 1861, had troops stationed, and threw up some defenses. It can be avoided by taking the left-hand road I have mentioned, and also I believe by going on toward Albany for some distance, and then turning to the left, via Traversville. Jamestown is 35 miles south of Monticello, and, unless we can drive all the enemy before us, our communication over so long a line will be constantly interrupted. The marauding gangs of Champ. Ferguson, numbering about 150, are from Wayne and Clinton Counties, and will in all probability give us much trouble.

I have written these facts, thinking it possible you may not have been advised of them before.

With an earnest hope that the plans of the commanding general may be entire successful, and a disposition on my part to lend all my efforts to that end,

I am, general, yours, respectfully,

S.P. CARTER,

Brigadier-General of Volunteers.

(Forwarded by General Willcox to General Burnside.)

**********

 MAY 23, 1863.

General CARTER, Somerset:

Welsh’s brigade has been ordered to Columbia, by direction of General Burnside. Sturgis’ division also has been ordered to halt at Crab Orchard. Cavalry from Columbia will soon occupy Jamestown, and watch Creelsborough and Burkesville. You will please keep a good lookout, and prevent the enemy from crossing at Robertsport and passing up by way of Liberty. I shall send an officer with the object to engineer any road work. For this you can press into service a small party of negroes. Is your ammunition sufficient?

O.B. WILLCOX.

**********

LEXINGTON, May 23, 1863.

Colonel GILBERT, Mount Vernon, Ky.:

Scouting party sent down from Owingsville report a rebel force, from 2,000 to 4,000, collecting at Whitesburg, Letcher County, for a raid toward the Ohio. They are said to be waiting for artillery. Please send out spies and others to ascertain the truth. I have just ordered two Tennesseans (Messrs. Ross and Bell) to go after information in that quarter, and to report to you; but do not wait for them. Send back Major Eversole to Proctor, if he is still in Manchester.

The troops are ordered to accumulate thirteen days’ rations of small-stores and forage, with fifteen to twenty days’ beef-cattle. If you have any trouble about your supplies, telegraph Lieutenant-Colonel (John H.) Coale, chief commissary, at Stanford, as well as your division commander.

WILLCOX,

Brigadier-General.

**********

MAY 23, 1863 — 6 a.m.

Colonel HARTRANFT, Lancaster:

Please halt your command at Crab Orchard, and wait for further orders.

O.B. WILLCOX.

**********

MAY 23, 1863 — 6 a.m.

General WELSH:

Please move your command to Columbia without delay, and report your arrival there by telegraph, both at these headquarters and to General Burnside, at Cincinnati. You will draw your supplies from Lebanon. It is desirable that you move to Columbia as rapidly as possible without breaking down your command, as troops are waiting there to go to the front as soon as you relieve them. This will take you beyond the limits of my district, but I hope we may not be separated long.

O.B. WILLCOX.

**********

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO,

Cincinnati, Ohio, May 23, 1863.

Brig. Gen. JULIUS WHITE,

Commanding District of Eastern Kentucky:

GENERAL: The commanding general directs me to request that you will convey his thanks, for their promptness and gallantry, to the officers and soldiers who took part in the skirmish brought on by the rebel guerrillas firing into the steam transports on the 9th instant; and also that you will thank, in his name, the citizens of Catlettsburg for the ready and efficient aid they rendered the troops on this occasion.

I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

LEWIS RICHMOND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Alex Grover (left) and Noah Ufkin (right) celebrate with their instructor, John Carmichael, after their first-place victory in Maine’s Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition.

Thanks to Portland Public Schools for sharing this release with the Maine DOE for publication.

A team of automotive technology students from Portland Arts and Technology High School (PATHS) received first place in Maine’s Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition on May 11.

Twenty students representing 10 high schools across Maine put their automotive skills to the test by fixing mechanical problems on their assigned Ford cars. The team that fixed all of the problems on its car first won the competition.

The two students on the PATHS team, Alex Grover and Noah Ufkin, discovered more than a dozen “bugs” in 52 minutes. Alex, who attends Greely High School in addition to PATHS, and Noah, who attends Gray-New Gloucester High School, received a perfect score. Another PATHS team, made up of Deering High School students William Roberts and John Curtis, came in sixth place.

Alex and Noah won an all-expenses-paid trip for themselves and their instructor, John Carmichael, to Ford Motor Company Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan to compete in the national finals on June 11. They also were offered several scholarships of as much as $10,000 each for post-secondary automotive programs.

This is the 15th time in the past 25 years that a PATHS team has won the Maine competition and advanced to the nationals. In years past, 10 PATHS teams received trophies for scoring among the top 10 teams nationally.

The national finals include a written test and a hands-on competition. Students may win scholarships, apparel, certificates, shop manuals, trips and automotive equipment in addition to trophies. Opportunities with the Ford ASSET program will be available to many of the competition finalists.

More information

• John Carmichael, Automotive Technology Teacher
  Portland Arts and Technology High School
  207-874-8165
  carmij@portlandschools.org

A little history: I had two majors in college, and so I had to write two senior theses. One of those was a critical analysis of Sweden’s development aid relationship with Tanzania (which was rather difficult, because I have never been to Tanzania). The second was an ambitious attempt to find some common ground between the academic disciplines of philosophical hermeneutics and conflict transformation, which was just about as painful as it sounds. By the end of the paper I was reduced to blabbering about Jesus.

But sometimes when you shoot for the moon you land among the stars. My professor returned the paper back to me, with a number of passages circled, underlined, smiley-faced. I had been so lost in my own world that it had not occurred to me the significance of some of the things I had been saying. “You really should consider getting this published,” he said.

Neither of us knew what getting published looked like. There was no academic journal that would take such a bizarre piece, especially from an undergraduate student. I tried submitting it to a peace studies conference, but the paper was just too theoretical to stand side-by-side with students my age who had done their research not in the library but in war zones.

Then it hit me. For me to really test these ideas, I needed to put them in an arena. There was that bit in the paper when I blabbered about Jesus…what if I were to play these ideas out in a church context?

And so I wrote a 1,000 word blog post, “The Virtue of Open-Mindedness”, for publication in Christian channels. Last May, the Donald Miller-associated e-magazine Burnside Writer’s Collective picked it up.

I thought I had done justice to the paper. I got the ideas out there, that should be enough.

And then, over the past year, at a high school youth retreat of all places, I realized there was still more to say.

Now, I have 16,000 words sitting on my hard drive. Instead of a blog post, it is a full-fledged essay. Instead of publishing it via WordPress, I am probably going to put it in formats suitable for e-readers (think Kindle).

But before I do that, I want your help reviewing the rough draft of The Virtue of Open-Mindedness. I am looking for a couple of readers and editors of different kinds: those with an eye for typos and those with an eye for style; theologically-minded and philosophically-minded who can point out any heresies or logical fallacies I may be making; and finally just anyone interested in what I have to say but who can call me out for having my head in the clouds.

I cannot promise much in terms of compensation, other than you will get a copy of the essay for free (if I decide to charge for it) and if you are in the Chicago area I am willing to buy you a cup of coffee so that we can meet up and talk about it.

If interested, fill out the form below and send me a note. I don’t plan on turning away potential proof-readers and editors, but I am also not going to trust this work to complete strangers unless they can explain themselves. Also, only fill out this form if (over the next month) you can commit to reading 16,000 words in and giving me at least 160 words of feedback.

Thanks so much friends. Stay tuned for my next Kickstarter campaign where I try and raise the funds to travel out to Tanzania. (Just joking.) (Kind of.)

This may seem ironic from my current position as a creator of a blog purely dedicated to improving my life, but still.

Honestly, I hate them because it’s so much harder than all that. It takes a lot of work to change. I don’t know about you, but an apathetic Netflix marathon is all too often my default setting (and yes, the Star Trek collection is glorious).

More than all that, I think these lists add to the quick-and-easy-guaranteed-fix-all results we’ve come to expect in American culture. And if it’s not perfect right away, we go on to the next fad. As a perfectionist myself, I fall easily into this trap. If I’m not really good at it RIGHT NOW, I’m apt to move on.

It’s this instinct I’ve been thinking a lot about as I learn to kayak. P’s parents are letting us borrow a couple kayaks for the summer and I’m certifiably obsessed. From my quiet perch on the lake, I’ve watched a bald eagle, fish in handclaws, swoop over my head to her nest. I’ve been surrounded by a cloud of swallows catching bugs at dusk. I’ve scared the geese (muahaha).

As peaceful as it is, I’m not a very good paddler. I’ve watched the videos, I remind myself of the technique, but I cannot direct this boat. I end up using the paddle as a rudder so I don’t hit things. I hurt my shoulder muscles by tending to one side too much.

Despite all that frustration, I still love it. I still go out on the boat as often as weather permits. I want to push through my flirtation with an abundance of activities and see if I can really, deeply master one.

Now if only I could get this thing to stop turning left.

***

“To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere without moving anything but your heart.” ~Phyllis Theroux

Dispatch this week to Ace!

Cincinnati, May 22, 1863.

General ROSECRANS:

Troops for the main column start to-morrow. Part of Hartsuff’s start to-morrow, and the remainder next day. Hartsuff will not be as tardy as supposed. By what route do you propose to send pack-mules? Have you packers with them? Where shall we receive them? Will be concentrated on the Cumberland in three or four days, and will then move rapidly. The main column will be fully as large as Loring represents. Force will be sent to Carthage to relieve Tennessee regiments at once. Telegraph line will follow us.

A.E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General.

**********

MURFREESBOROUGH, May 22, 1863.

Major-General BURNSIDE:

I will send pack-mules to Carthage or Scottsville, or wherever else you wish to receive them. We have packers. Shove your spare cavalry well to the left, to cover Crook’s movement on Liberty.

W.S. ROSECRANS,

Major-General.

**********

CINCINNATI, OHIO, May 22, 1863.

Maj. Gen. H.W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief:

A column is now organizing for a movement which was planned with the understanding that Getty’s division was to join me. The movement should not be delayed, and I hope our lines of communication are strong enough to warrant it. You will remember that it was the understanding that Getty was to join us very soon. The movement will be commenced.

A.E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General.

**********

CINCINNATI, May 22, 1863.

General BOYLE, Louisville, Ky.:

I have ordered two more brigades of the Ninth Corps to Columbia, which, with Morrison’s brigade, makes a complete division. They start at daylight in the morning from Middleburg.

Order Jamestown to be occupied as an outpost by some of Jacob’s cavalry, and I think it would be well to occupy Creelsborough and Burkesville both in the same way, if it is possible, as it will prevent much stealing of horses and supplies, and it would prepare us for the contemplated movement. You can order Stover’s Tennessee regiment to Lebanon at once. Give it all the arms and supplies it needs. The Sixteenth Kentucky can be sent to Glasgow at once.

What arms do you need for the Eleventh Kentucky Cavalry? I will have them sent at once, if possible.

Have the regiment of Morrison’s brigade that is at Green River sent to Columbia. Have Henshaw’s battery sent to Glasgow. Send these troops by train or over the road, as you think best. Leave the Sixty-third Indiana where they are for the present. If you have already given orders starting the Sixty-third Indiana for Glasgow, you can replace it on the railroad by the Sixteenth Kentucky.

A.E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General.

**********

CINCINNATI, May 22, 1863.

General WILLCOX, Lexington, Ky.:

Gilbert’s reconnaissance to Cumberland Gap is very creditable. I am anxious to receive his written plan for an attack. Let Sturgis’ division halt at Crab Orchard for further orders. I am very much afraid we shall be troubled in getting up supplies. Do Carter’s quartermasters act energetically? How is he off for ammunition? If he cannot supply himself with subsistence while he is at Somerset, he certainly cannot when he moves to the front. Does he transport salt meats? He should carry nothing but hard bread and small rations, and live on fresh meat.

A.E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General.

**********

MAY 22, 1863.

(Confidential)

Colonel HARTRANFT, Lancaster:

You will please start the Second Division for Somerset to-morrow morning. As the road from Stanford to Somerset is already crowded with trains for the troops now at Somerset, you had better move at least part of the division by the Crab Orchard road, if you think it will facilitate the movement. Acknowledge receipt of this dispatch, and let me know what regiments will be ready to start to-morrow morning.

O.B. WILLCOX,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

**********

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO,

Cincinnati, Ohio, May 22, 1863.

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 71.

WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL’S OFFICE,

Washington, April 27, 1863.

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 103.

The President directs that the troops in Kentucky not belonging to the Ninth Army Corps be organized into the Twenty-third Army Corps, to be commanded by Maj. Gen. G.L. Hartsuff.

By order of the Secretary of War:

E.D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

I. In accordance with the above order, the troops serving in Kentucky, with the exception of the Ninth Army Corps and those troops which, from military necessity, are temporarily serving with it, will be organized into the Twenty-third Army Corps, under the direction of Maj. Gen. G.L. Hartsuff, who will command it. He will leave along the line of the railroad and at the depots of the various stores such force as may be necessary for their protection. This force will be under the command of Brigadier-General Boyle till it can be relieved by the troops now raising in Kentucky.

II. For the objects set forth in Paragraph III of this order, the State of Kentucky is announced as a district in this department.

III. Brigadier-General Boyle is placed in command of the District of Kentucky for the following purposes: He will have command of all the forces raised in Kentucky for special service in that State, under General Orders, No. 59, current series, from these headquarters; will have the charge of the safety of the public property, and the preservation of quiet in the State; will have the command of the guards over railroads, bridges, and depots of stores. These guards he will replace as soon as possible from the troops he is raising in Kentucky, the guards relieved reporting to General Hartsuff.

IV. Capt. S.S. Sumner, additional aide-de-camp, is announced as a member of the staff of the major-general commanding, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly.

By command of Major-General Burnside:

LEWIS RICHMOND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

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Photo: MQ-9 Reaper (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson)

General BURNSIDE:

Please answer my last dispatch, and let me know your moves. If you could come down soon, I think we could strike a blow that would tell.

W.S. ROSECRANS,

Major-General.

**********

CINCINNATI, May 21, 1863.

Generals BOYLE and HARTSUFF, Louisville, Ky.:

You have doubtless seen Colonel Loring and learned of my plans. It is very desirable to hurry up the concentration of the troops. All surplus regiments should be sent to Columbia and Glasgow at once, with a view to concentration, as proposed. If you can get two regiments and battery at Glasgow, I can withdraw the three Tennessee regiments there. Colonel Loring will explain. Time is everything just now. How are you off for transportation? The Michigan regiments can be left at Louisville. Answer.

A.E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General.

**********

CINCINNATI, May 21, 1863.

General WILLCOX, Lexington, Ky.:

Some rough pontoon boats have been sent to Nicholasville. Please have them sent to Carter at once. Babcock had better go with them. Order Sturgis’ division to join Carter, and order him to prepare for a move upon Jamestown, Tenn., at once. The two Tennessee mounted regiments ought to be ready for a move at an hour’s notice. What kind of roads lead from Middleburg to Jamestown, Columbia, and Somerset? Send order to Welsh to be ready to move to-morrow morning; also the Sixty-fifth Illinois.

A.E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General.

**********

CATLETTSBURG, KY., May 21, 1863.

Major-General BURNSIDE:

Trustworthy scouts and other sources of information predict an early raid between the Kanawha and Sandy Rivers by the enemy, now near General Scammon. This place and Ashland, where our general hospital is situated, are greatly exposed. The Guyandotte and Sandy Rivers are fordable at many places. The enemy number 3,000 to 4,000. I can hold Louisa, but my force is too small to divide into smaller detachments.

General Scammon’s force is all at Charleston. The entire region between my district and the Kanawha is filled with secesh, and not a Union soldier in it. Will I soon have the 1,000 infantry and a battery? Answer quickly.

JULIUS WHITE,

Brigadier-General.

**********

HEADQUARTERS NINTH OHIO VOLUNTEER CAVALRY,

Near Manchester, Ky., May 21, 1863.

Brigadier-General WILLCOX,

Commanding District of Central Kentucky, Lexington:

GENERAL: As you have been informed through Colonel Gilbert, I was very much detained by our train, bad roads, &c., and found it (the road) impracticable to this point via McKee. I arrived here on Sunday morning, May 10, after a march of six days, and received notice through Colonel Gilbert to send back for supplies, and await further orders. I find the people very generally loyal, and very glad to see us. They immediately brought in their horses, which had been hid in the mountains, and began to plant their corn and spring crops, at which they are still working with a great deal of vigor.

Last week rumors were constantly coming in as to rebel forces in the section known as the Red Bird settlement, variously estimated at from 300 to 2,000 scattered in different localities on the  borders of Clay and Harlan Counties.

On Thursday last I was informed by reliable citizens that 1,300 of the enemy, under Colonels (Campbell) Slemp and (B.E.) Caudill, were advancing upon Manchester to drive me out. I immediately sent out a scouting party of 20 men to watch their movements, and selected a very strong position 5 miles in advance of my camp, upon which to meet them. After an absence of thirty-six hours, the scouts returned, having gone 30 miles into the localities where the enemy were reported. They ascertained that there had been a force of about 300 horse-thieves pillaging in the vicinity, but who fled upon hearing of the approach of our men, and, from the best information I have at present, there are no rebel troops stationed in Harlan County.

Slemp’s Sixty-fourth Virginia Regiment crossed Cumberland Mountains at Crank’s Gap, near Jonesville, on Friday last, as I learn from a couple of spies whom I caught last Tuesday, of whom I will speak hereafter.

I have found grass to last for ten days or two weeks yet, and some 300 or 400 bushels of corn, and this morning I hear of some more. The citizens are anxious for us to stay, and are doing all in their power to find us supplies. I have sent six wagons to Lexington for corn. I have fifteen days’ rations for the men on hand. I sent 120 men to Cumberland Ford yesterday morning to co-operate with the Forty-fourth. I have not heard from them yet.

The two men I arrested two days ago attempted to pass through the lines, and, when brought in, pretended to be first-class Union men, &c. One produced a paper signed by Colonel Strickland, authorizing him to recruit for the Fifth Tennessee Regiment; but I examined them separately, and their stories didn’t agree at all. I had learned some facts from other sources, and in the end made them acknowledge that they failed to see the truth in everything, and that one of them had been through here ten days ago as a spy for Colonel Slemp, and that he did report to him upon his return to his regiment the condition of the country and the number and condition of the Union troops in this locality; but they now claim that this time they ran away from the rebel service in reality; that although they have belonged to that regiment, and about one year, yet they never liked it, &c., and embraced the first good opportunity of deserting.

Their stories have been very inconsistent and contradictory, and, in my opinion, the young one especially richly deserves being shot. In fact, they both admit that according to the rebel code they would be shot. They are badly frightened and very penitent. I will forward them via London and Mount Vernon, and desire some instructions as to my course in future with such cases. In sending them off, they are taken beyond the reach of most of the proof which would convict them, which will make it very difficult to have the facts fully brought before the court appointed to try them.

Papers have also been sent me in relation to old Colonel Garrard, of whom you have heard. They were taken from a rebel soldier who was arrested some miles from here toward Richmond. It seems that he had, while in this vicinity, stopped all night with Colonel Garrard, showing him a pass from the rebel colonel commanding at Cumberland Gap, authorizing him to pass through the rebel lines in Kentucky. Colonel Garrard gave him directions how to proceed through the State, giving him also a paper with the names of places in which Union troops were stationed, directing him to avoid them. I have these papers. Mr. White, whom you know, says the last-named paper is the handwriting of the old man. Although no other proof has been discovered, it is generally believed that his house is the regular information depot for the rebel army in this county. The old gentleman is eighty years old; has one son a brigadier-general in our army, and another State treasurer of Kentucky, as you know, all of which, in my opinion, should not be considered in his favor when the man is doing what he can against us.

I shall wait for instructions. I am informed, although I have never talked with him, that he will not take the oath of allegiance to the United States.

I will send all the papers I have containing proof as to the character of the two spies.

I have established a line of couriers between here and London. I forward, in obedience, our tri-monthly reports for the 10th and 20th of May.

I have the honor, general, to be, your obedient servant,

W.D. HAMILTON,

Major, Commanding Ninth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry.

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Photo: Cavalry Scouts from 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment-Blackhorse, conduct escape and evasion lane training at Ft. Irwin, Calif. May 16. The training is designed to test the skills of the Cavalry Scout in a simulated battlefield environment. (Photo by Spc. David N. Beckstrom)

Maj. Gen. H.W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief:

I am quite satisfied that the counties in Kentucky west of the Tennessee River ought to belong to the department of General Grant or be attached to the Department of the Missouri, and that the commander of the Department of the Missouri ought to be authorized to act on the border counties of Illinois. In fact, I think the whole State of Illinois should belong to that department.

A.E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General.

**********

HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, FOURTH DIVISION,

DISTRICT OF CENTRAL KENTUCKY,

Mount Vernon, May 20, 1863.

Brigadier-General WILLCOX,

Commanding District of Central Kentucky, Lexington:

SIR: In answer to your telegraphic dispatch of the 17th, in regard to taking a large force through the by-paths of the mountains in the vicinity of Cumberland Gap, and the holding of that position, if taken, with a force of 5,000 men, I have the honor to submit the following:

Light troops can pass from Cumberland River to Powell’s Valley in two and a half days’ march at almost any point. There are three or four good mountain roads that a few hours’ labor in cleaning away barricades of fallen timber and loose rocks would render practicable use for artillery and light baggage, and I think we could be in Powell’s Valley, at any given point, in three days after crossing Cumberland River.

Citizens of East Tennessee say that this move of itself would produce an evacuation of the Gap, owing to the fact that the troops there have no supplies ahead. I would not depend upon this, however, but would endeavor, by a surprise, to carry the left-hand pinnacle and its battery, which, I understand, commands the other pinnacle and nearly the whole interior of the fortifications.

The men and material for such an expedition should be organized not farther forward than Crab Orchard, so that no clew would be given to their destination; and, when put in motion, should be kept moving until the blow was struck. The supplies for the party designed for the surprise could be easily accumulated at London without exciting apprehensions, and for my present command here and at Wild Cat. Owing to the fact that Cumberland Gap is even more thoroughly fortified toward the south than this way, the force that turned it would have to be strong enough to meet in Powell’s Valley any enemy that might be marching to re-enforce or relieve the garrison if they failed to evacuate; or, if the surprise failed to be effectual, Morristown is but two days’ march, and Knoxville and Clinton but three days from the Gap. The rebels are reported to have an aggregate of 25,000 (they claim more) within the limits of those places.

I believe we could take the place by surprise, but am not well enough acquainted with the locality to be positive. I can get 1,500 men out of my brigade who will give it a desperate trial anyway, and would be glad of the chance.

So much for the taking, and now for the holding. When General G. Morgan was there last year, about one-half his forage and meat was obtained in the country, within 50 miles of the Gap. Now, everything an army would require, both for its own use and for the use of its supply trains, would have to be drawn from the depot at Nicholasville, as the country south of a line drawn through Crab Orchard, Big Hill, and Proctor will not this year produce any surplus over the absolute necessities of the inhabitants. Nicholasville is about 120 miles from Cumberland Gap, or about sixteen days the round trip for army wagons. The kind of roads will not admit of hauling over four hundred rations per wagon, in addition to the grain for the animals. It will, therefore, take a train of 13 wagons per day to supply 5,000 men with rations, being 208 wagons.

That number of men stationed there would involve about 1,000 horses to be fed there all the time, which would require a forage train of 22 wagons a day, being 352 wagons.

For quartermaster and ordnance stores, and other supplies, not less than 5 wagons per day would be required, being 110 wagons, a total of 770 wagons. To this estimate should be added 20 percent, for contingencies, which runs the total up to 924 wagons as being necessary for the daily supply of 5,000 men and 1,000 horses at Cumberland Gap. My calculations are based upon the proposition that six mules can haul 2,000 pounds 16 miles per day, and one day loading and unloading. Whatever additional time they would require, would add 48 wagons for each day, added to the length of the round trip.

To secure a supply so that we might not be starved out if shut up there, as Morgan’s army was, the foregoing calculation will show that for every sixteen days’ supply secured in that number of days a similar number of wagons must be added. This supply of transportation is so prodigious that it brings me to the belief that the surest way to occupy East Tennessee is to extend the railroad from Nicholasville, as recommended by the President a year and a half ago. The money required to get up and run this immense number of wagons, and to keep up the wear and tear in them and in the roads, would, with the aid of the “contrabands” accumulated at various points along the Mississippi River and Atlantic Coast, not now usefully employed and an expense to the Government, go far toward the construction of this railroad, and at the close of the war, instead of broken-down mules and shattered wagons, the Government would have for sale a valuable improvement, and would have added wealth to the land by the development of its resources.

As a military position, Cumberland Gap is certainly not very important or controlling; it is too easily turned. When occupied by the rebels, General Morgan easily turned it. Kirby Smith found no difficulty in turning it when occupied by General Morgan. We can again turn it, and march into Powell’s Valley without opposition. The ease with which it may be turned renders it unimportant as a defensive position for the protection of this State. That was demonstrated last summer. Had General Morgan’s command been at Wild Cat or Big Hill, the battle at Richmond would not have been lost. Kirby Smith would have been defeated on the edge of the productive region of the State, where they arrived in an almost destitute condition; and to have been detained a few days south of the line before named, through Crab Orchard, Big Hill, and Proctor, would have secured their annihilation, as they came without supplies, depending upon breaking through into the fertile blue-grass region. That country is infinitely more destitute now than it was then. Kirby Smith disposed of, General Morgan would have been free to operate against their main force under Bragg, and in a position where he would have had good roads and abundant supplies at the least cost, and the occupation of this State by the rebels would have been saved. This mountain country was poor then; it is utterly exhausted now, and its destitution forms a very fair barrier to an invasion.

If we are to be on the defensive in this locality, we should throw upon the enemy all the disadvantages of having to move through this destitute country to reach our main line of defense. His energy will thereby be somewhat exhausted, and if his attack fail, we would, by assuming the offensive, vigorously annihilate the invading army. As an offensive position, Cumberland Gap would be valuable if our means of transportation would enable us to accumulate a sufficient store of supplies to sustain an army in the field when operating near Knoxville or other points along the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad.

The population of East Tennessee has been so much reduced, and the people so much disheartened by the depredations of the rebel army, that not over one-third the usual product of that country will be harvested. Therefore, it would not do to base any calculations of movements upon the obtaining of full supplies of food and forage for an army there. I have taken pains to make inquiry from refugees from all the counties, and am satisfied that the above estimate is correct. We must, therefore, provide stores in advance. To do this, the only means commensurate with the undertaking is the construction of the railroad, and, until it is done, the occupation of the line to the rear, where our energies will not be wasted in a contest with nature as well as rebels. If posted at Cumberland Gap, a force would have to be kept also at Big Creek Gap, or Williamsburg, to protect our long line of communications from the depredations of the enemy’s mounted troops. That force would also have to be supplied with everything from the rear, at a similar expense.

If you will order my other regiment, the One hundred and third Ohio, now at Somerset, to join me, and add the Forty-fifth Ohio to my command, I believe we can take either Cumberland or Big Creek Gaps at any time. It would have to be done with a dash, and the preparations concealed carefully from the enemy, as they are so close to their reserves and we are so far from ours. A failure might prove a disaster; and, if taken, we could hold either position against anything but starvation; but to hold those advanced positions would, I think, be a mistake until, by the extension of that railroad, increased and certain means of transportation are required.

Fortified positions at Wild Cat and Big Hill will just as well protect Kentucky from invasion over those routes, and would keep the troops where they can be more easily supplied, and be more available for emergencies that may arise in other parts of the State.

A thousand mounted men can afford full protection to these mountain counties, and consume all their surplus products. As no army can be supported there, the rebels are not going to try to occupy it, and, therefore, no good can result from our exhausting our energies in its occupation at present. They had better be devoted to the production of the means, i.e., the railroad. That will enable us to make a permanent lodgment when we do advance. Until the road reaches Crab Orchard, the enemy will not know where it is designed to cross the river. That should be the first section. Then, until it passes London, its exact location would be unknown. That should be the second section. Having arrived there, we would be very nearly as close to the two gaps with our railroad as the rebels are with theirs, and should establish ourselves in the mountains at the point we intended to pass through them. Our distance from our supplies would not then be so great but what an army could be supplied in the field in East Tennessee.

Your dispatch directed me to answer after due consideration. I have done so, probably more at length than you expected, but certainly not more so than the importance of the subject demands. I do not know that I have been able to advance any new ideas or throw any light on the subject. They are my thoughts and conclusion, which you can take for whatever they may be worth.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

SAMUEL A. GILBERT,

Col., Cmdg. Second Brig., Fourth Div., Army of Central Kentucky.

(Forwarded by General Willcox to General Burnside, May 23, 1863.)

**********

HEADQUARTERS THIRD BRIGADE,

Middleburg, Ky., May 20, 1863 — 12 m.

Capt. GEORGE A. HICKS,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

CAPTAIN: I send forward Colonel Christ’s report, just this moment received. The messenger left Somerset at 7 o’clock this morning. All was quiet there, but, after he had ridden some 6 miles, he was overtaken by an express messenger for Colonel Wolford. Shortly after, the messenger heard rapid cannonading toward the Cumberland, and counted some sixty shots. He supposed the enemy were trying to cross over. He reports that the enemy has been re-enforced by 15,000 troops. I sent 10 of Captain (Alexander) Smith’s cavalry (Wolford’s) to the front yesterday, with instructions to forward me the earliest intelligence of any movement of the enemy, and all other matters of importance. None of them have yet returned. As soon as I hear from them, I will apprise you.

Very respectfully, your most obedient servant,

DANIEL LEASURE,

Colonel, Commanding Brigade.

**********

OFFICE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, DEPT. OF THE OHIO,

Cincinnati, Ohio, May 20, 1863.

Brig. Gen. JOSEPH G. TOTTEN,

Chief of Corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C.:

GENERAL: Inclosed I have the honor to forward Special Orders, No. 155, from the headquarters of this department, directing Captain McAlester to relieve me of the immediate charge of the defenses of this city, and making him the disbursing officer for the Engineer Corps in this department. By this arrangement the accounts of Capt. C.E. McAlester, (Twenty-third) Michigan regiment volunteers, in charge of the construction of the defenses along the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, as far as and inclusive of Bowling Green, and at Glasgow, will be settled as heretofore by Capt. Miles D. McAlester, Corps of Engineers.

At the date of being relieves of the defense of this city by Captain McAlester, May 2, my operations since April 19, when I took charge, were as follows:

ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE LICKING RIVER.

Fort Whittlesey. — The parapet all around, except on the rear sides, was increased to a thickness of 13 feet; the breast height revetted with boards; the interior of the work defiladed and graded, and the magazines covered with a roof of tongued and grooved boards, and on these another layer of inch boards, the whole made water-tight by a composition of rosin and tar. The logs were got out and prepared for the stockade connecting the two works (see plan already furnished). Six guns en barbette were also mounted.

Phil. Kearney Battery. — The parapet of this work was extended, as recommended in my report to Major-General Wright of November 27.

Shaler Battery. — Two additional guns (32′s) were mounted, and the garrison has, under my direction, been improving the breast height.

McLean Battery. — One 30-pounder Parrott and two 32-pounders mounted. The garrison has greatly improved the appearance of this battery by sodding its superior and exterior slopes.

ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE LICKING RIVER.

Larz Anderson Battery. — One face rebuilt and lengthened, in order to move one of the guns, and thus give room for a 30-pounder Parrott. Parapet trimmed and sodded. Work done by soldiers of Company A, Captain Murphy.

Burnet Battery. — New drain dug and old magazine torn down, being too small. Stone wall of new magazine will be done in a few days, and materials for flooring and roofing are at Kyle’s, ready for use as soon as the carpenters, now roofing the other magazines, reach the spot. Excavating and building of stone wall, &c., done by part of Company A, under Lieutenant Tener.

Burbank Battery. — New revetment of upright locust logs, with 2-inch cap pieces of plank. Parapet trimmed and about one-half sodded. Work done by soldiers, under Captain Caldwell. Plank to cap revetment, tools, and spike, furnished by Engineer Department.

Carlisle Battery. — Water-tight roofing commenced.

Hooper Battery. — Drain made and put in, as magazine was half full of water before. Old roof propped up; water-tight roofing put over it, covered with earth. Entrance altered to allow 5 feet of earth being put on magazine. Two guns mounted. Parapet trimmed and sodded. All done by men in employ of Engineer Department.

Kyle Battery. — Water-tight roof, new drain, and improved entrance to magazine, by men in employ of Engineer Department. Parapet trimmed and sodded, and magazine covered, by soldiers of Captain Heaton’s company.

New fort south of Kyle’s. — Three-fifths of the earthwork finished. Revetment commenced; material to finish it on ground. Drains for ditches, &c., finished by men in employ of Engineer Department.

Fort Mitchel. — Magazine roof raised from 4 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 9 inches in height, for a distance of 15 feet; beyond that the magazine has a height inside of 5 feet 9 inches. Entrance improved and water-tight roofing put on, by our men. Outwork trimmed and sodded; magazine uncovered and filled in again, by soldiers of Company F, under Lieutenant Holman.

Perry Battery. — Water-tight roofing to magazine, by our men. Revetment straightened, parapet trimmed and sodded, and magazine covered, by soldiers of Company F, under Lieutenant Violet.

Bates’ Battery. — Water-tight roof to magazine, by our men. Magazine covered, parapet trimmed and sodded, by men of Captain Gatewood’s company.

Coombs’ Battery. — Magazine lengthened to accommodate ammunition for five guns, it having been built for three. Two-thirds of water tight roofing finished and drains put in, by our men. All earthwork in connection with the alterations to this magazine, as well as trimming parapet, sodding it, and digging drains, done by Captain Gatewood’s company.

I also enclose a copy of an order directing me to inspect, with Brigadier-General Tillson, chief of artillery of fortifications, the fortifications of this department. This examination took place between the 6th and 14th instant. We inspected the work at Salt Creek, Rolling Fork, the two trestles at Muldraugh’s Hill, Munfordville, and Bowling Green, all on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, and mainly intended for the defense of important bridges, though Bowling Green and Munfordville are strategic points, and the works at these points are correspondingly more extended and important. The same may be said of the work at Glasgow, 12 miles southeast of the railroad from Cave City.

I have also visited the forts at Frankfort and Lexington (armament of these forts on the ground), and in every case left directions for such extensions and improvements as circumstances required.

All the works mentioned, except those at Bowling Green (which were thrown up by the rebels), were projected by Capt. Miles D. McAlester, Corps of Engineers, and have been pushed forward as rapidly as the strength of the garrisons would allow. Those at Munfordville and Glasgow are about ready for their armament, which, as also for all the other works, have been required by the chief of ordnance of this department.

I am preparing a tabular statement of the forts and batteries, their location and armament, at the request of the Ordnance Department, a copy of which I hope to send you.

SURVEYS FOR MILITARY DEFENSES.

The surveys and mapping of the country intervening (between) this city and Lexington have been continued, the total length of roads measured and topography given during the month of April being 167 miles.

The direct road from Crab Orchard, toward Cumberland Gap I have had, by direction of General Burnside, examined as far as a point 18 miles beyond London, with a view, if possible, to its being metaled or planked.

Between the 27th and 29th of April, by direction of Major-General Burnside, I, with Captain Dickerson, chief quartermaster, selected a site for a large depot, 6 miles beyond Nicholasville, between a band of the Kentucky River and Hickman Creek, on its west side, distant from Lexington on the Danville pike 18 miles. Lieutenant-Colonel (O.E.) Babcock, assistant inspector-general and chief engineer, District of Central Kentucky, has been directed by me, under instructions from Major-General Burnside, to fortify the area, embracing about 4-1/2 square miles.

Capt. T.B. Brooks, volunteer engineer, I have sent to aid Lieutenant Colonel Babcock in the examination of the area, and afterward to examine the wagon roads between that point and the Cumberland, about Somerset, and thence to Jamestown, Columbia, Campbellsville, and Lebanon, with a view to ascertain the best route for forwarding supplies.

Lieutenant-Colonel Babcock has made a survey of the country immediately about Louisville, with a view, if required, to its fortification, and submitted a tracing of map and reports to this office.

Captain Poe, Corps of Engineers, is chief engineer of Twenty-third Army Corps, Brigadier-General Hartsuff commanding, at present in Louisville and about to take the field.

I inclose a statement of money received and expended up to April 30. The accounts for the month were made out, but under the circular of April 10, Treasury Department, they will be withheld till the close of the present quarter.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J.H. SIMPSON,

Major of Engineers.

(Inclosures.)

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO,

Cincinnati, Ohio, April 25, 1863.

SPECIAL ORDERS, No. 141.

*****

Brig. Gen. Davis Tillson, chief of artillery of fortifications, and Maj. J.H. Simpson, chief of engineers, will, in company, as soon as practicable, make an inspection of the fortifications in the department, and give such directions in the further prosecution of the works as may be necessary.

*****

X. Major Simpson, U.S. Army, and chief engineer Department of the Ohio, and Capt. J.H. Dickerson, U.S. Army, and chief quarter-master Department of the Ohio, will at once proceed to some point in Kentucky beyond Nicholasville, for the purpose of selecting a site for a depot of military supplies for the troops operating in that vicinity.

By order of Major-General Burbridge:

W.P. ANDERSION,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO,

Cincinnati, May 2, 1863.

SPECIAL ORDERS, No. 155.

*****

VI. In order that Maj. J.H. Simpson, chief of engineers, may be enabled to generally supervise the engineer operations of this department, Capt. Miles D. McAlester will relieve him of the immediate charge of the defenses of this city, Covington, and Newport, and will also act as disbursing officer for the Corps of Engineers in the department.

By order to General Burnside:

W.P. ANDERSON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

It’s Saturday afternoon. I pull up and parallel park in front of my brother’s apartment block.

I pull out my cell phone to call my brother to tell him I’m waiting out front. I notice a little boy whose serious-looking face is about two inches from my passenger window. I call my brother and tell him I’m here to pick him up. Little Mr. Serious is still staring at me, so I use the “auto down” feature to roll down the window.

I say, “Hi.”

He says, “You’re parking in somebody’s spot.”

I reply, “I’m not parking. I’m just here to pick up my brother. I’ll be gone in a minute.”

He says nothing.

I say, “I’m John. What’s your name?”

He replies, “Victor.”

I say, “Hi Victor.”

He says, “Do you have a son?”

I reply, “Yes.”

He says, “Does he like balls?”

I think about this before replying, “Yes.”

He says, “What kind of balls?”

I think again and say, “Basketballs…he’s a basketball player.”

Victor sticks his hand in the window. He is holding a one inch super bouncy ball. “”Give him this.”

I say, “He likes big basketballs.”

Victor says, “Watch how high it can bounce.”

He moves to the front of the car. He winds up to throw it down hard. He pauses, then drops the ball to the sidewalk. It bounces back up to him.

He comes back to the window. “I can’t bounce it too high. It might hit a car.”

I say, “How old are you, Victor?”

He replies, “Five.”

I say, “I have a grandson who is six. He’s just a little bigger than you.”

“Would he like the ball?”

I respond, “Yes, I think he would.”

Victor drops the ball on the car seat.

I say, “Here comes my brother.”

Victor asks, “What’s his name?”

I say, “Tim.”

Tim walks up to the car. Victor says, “Hi, Tim.”

Tim, surprised, says, “Hi.”

Tim jumps in the car and I say, “Goodbye, Victor.”

Tim and I drive away.

For the umpteenth time, an incredible little person has made my day.

Washington, May 19, 1863 — 11.30 a.m.

Major-General BURNSIDE, Cincinnati, Ohio:

The President has been asked to add that part of Kentucky between the Cumberland and the Mississippi to your Department. For military purposes, it seems to me, that these counties should belong to General Grant’s department. I submit the matter, however, for your opinion.

H.W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

**********

LEXINGTON, KY., May 19, 1863 — 11.50 a.m.

General BURNSIDE:

The following received from Mount Vernon:

I will answer your message about taking and holding Cumberland Gap by mail. I have intelligence from Harlan County that the cavalry force of rebels that were in Harlan have gone toward Perry County, saying they were going to Mount Sterling; said to be 1,000. I have ordered a scout from Manchester toward Hazard to ascertain the facts.

GILBERT.

O.B. WILLCOX,

Brigadier-General.

Major-General BURNSIDE:

The colonel (Lieut. Col. C.G. Loring) left yesterday at 5 p.m. for Nashville, and thence by train this morning for Louisville. Hartsuff is to concentrate at Red Springs, on the road from Glasgow to Carthage. Ninth Corps to Jamestown, and thence advance to break Loudon Bridge. When and where will you have the pack-mules?

W.S. ROSECRANS.

**********

HEADQUARTERS, Louisville, May 18, 1863.

Major-General BURNSIDE:

General Rosecrans telegraphs me that he has satisfactory information that all the rebel cavalry are at McMinnville, excepting Morgan and Pegram. I do not believe twenty-four rebel regiments are concentrating at Morristown for raid into Kentucky, and that another force, under General Buckner, is at Clinton. I do not believe Buckner is in Tennessee. I believe Morgan will make a raid as soon as he finds out where your forces are, and if he satisfies himself your cavalry cannot match him. I have given the orders to Generals Judah, Hobson, and Manson.

J.T. BOYLE,

Brigadier-General.

**********

HEADQUARTERS THIRD BRIGADE,

Middleburg, Ky., May 18, 1863.

Capt. GEORGE A. HICKS,

Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Division, Ninth Army Corps:

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that my cavalry scouts have just returned from within 8 miles of Jamestown. They report that Morgan and a young Breckinridge were at Jamestown on Thursday with a flag of truce to Jacob, relative to some of Jacob’s men wounded and in his hands, whom he wished sent to this side. The prisoners were received by Colonel Jacob and taken to Columbia, where his force lies. On Saturday about 200 of Morgan’s men were at Jamestown, and scouted in the direction of Columbia, and my scouts were informed that they still hovered near Jamestown, if not in it. Morgan’s whole force is on the opposite side of the river, at Horse Shoe Bend. Their force is variously estimated at from 8,000 to 12,000. It is inferred that he has infantry, as drums could be heard beating the calls. Colonel Jacob’s scouts had not been at Jamestown since Friday morning. Morgan informed one of the citizens of Jamestown that in five days from that time he would cross with his whole force and encamp on the north side of the town. The scouts were advised not to go any nearer Jamestown. The general impression of the loyal citizens is that he will make a desperate attempt to advance into Central Kentucky.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

DANIEL LEASURE,

Colonel, Commanding Brigade.

**********

LEXINGTON, May 18, 1863 — 10.15.

Major-General BURNSIDE:

Following just received from Somerset:

The following information received last night from scouts and others: Morgan and Pegram, with cavalry force, 5,000 to 6,000; (John B.) Palmer, infantry force, 2,500. Buckner is coming from East Tennessee to join in invasion of Kentucky. Rebels report their forces at 16,000. Our scouts say they think there are not more than 10,000, but even this latter number is too great, unless there are more men with Morgan, Pegram, and Palmer than I stated above, which is possible, for if they intend to invade Kentucky they will not undertake it with a very small force; and they say they are coming for supplies and must have them. The river will soon be fordable. It can be crossed now at points, so they can concentrate at some place, and cross without much trouble. I will increase the guard and watch them closely.

CARTER.

O.B. WILLCOX,

Brigadier-General.

**********

MAY 18, 1863.

General CARTER, Somerset:

There is a division of our troops at Lancaster, under General Sturgis. In case of emergency this division can advance to support you. Should you be compelled to fall back, there is Hall’s Gap, a better point than any for good position.

O.B. WILLCOX,

Brigadier-General.

**********

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO,

Cincinnati, Ohio, May 18, 1863.

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 70.

I. The intention of that portion of General Orders, No. 66, from these headquarters, relating to the “removal of wives and families of persons in arms against the United States,” being merely to remove from this department those persons who, from their intimate relations with the enemies of the Government, would be presumed to exercise an active sympathy with the rebellion, and would, therefore, be dangerous as residents, and as arbitrary arrests, or notices to remove under that order, might occasion suffering and injustice, it is hereby ordered that in all such cases the proper officer having cognizance of the facts will forward to these headquarters a written statement of the circumstances before he takes any further action.

II. As the experience of this department has shown that cases exist where the persons to whom General Orders, No. 66., refers, are, notwithstanding their close relationship to the enemies of the country, still loyal to the Government, and are willing to testify it by taking the oath of allegiance, such persons, when there is evidence of the honesty of the intention of the parties in taking the oath, will not be molested.

III. The attention of all officers having charge of paroled prisoners is again directed to the orders of the War Department relative to paroled prisoners, the requirements of which must be strictly complied with. Negligence in this respect causes great confusion and injury to the service, and hereafter any officer guilty of such neglect will be held strictly accountable thereof.

General Orders, No. 46, current series, War Department, applies to men absent without authority, paroled prisoners included, and requires that they should be sent to the general camps designated in General Orders, No. 72, War Department, of June, 1862, and it requires that the military commandant shall make tri-monthly reports of men so forwarded. General Orders, No. 72, names three camps at which paroled prisoners are to be assembled, and the commanders of those camps are required to furnish the commissary-general of prisoners will rolls of all men who join or leave, and with a monthly and semi-monthly return showing all alterations.

IV. All tenders of resignations, or applications for leaves of absence or furloughs, will be forwarded through the proper military channels to these headquarters for final action.

V. Officers in their official communications will be governed by the regulations requiring that such communications shall refer to one subject only.

VI. With the exception of telegraphic communications from district commanders, all official papers intended for the commanding general must be addressed to the assistant adjutant-general of the department, and forwarded through the proper military channel.

By command of Major-General Burnside:

LEWIS RICHMOND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

**********

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,

Washington, May 18, 1863.

SPECIAL ORDERS, No. 222.

I. Brig. Gen. N.C. McLean, U.S. Volunteers, is assigned to duty with the command of Major-General Burnside, U.S. Volunteers, and will report in person accordingly.

II. Brig. Gen. H.G. Wright, U.S. Volunteers, is hereby relieves from duty in the Department of the Ohio, and will report in person to the commanding general, Army of the Potomac.

By command of Major-General Halleck:

E.D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

]]> http://manresamaine.wordpress.com/2013/05/17/responsible-pet-care/ Fri, 17 May 2013 14:36:57 +0000 S http://manresamaine.wordpress.com/2013/05/17/responsible-pet-care/ Cats shit a lot. Lots of cats shit even more. I didn’t grow up with cats but have lived with a few as an adult. I’m slowly coming around to them, although I’m still 100% sure they’re all plotting my demise.

This week I started volunteering at Responsible Pet Care (RPC) which is a local no-kill shelter open to all pets, but mostly they house cats. So. Many. Cats.

Thankfully they are moving facilities this week to provide for a bigger, better situation for their ‘guests’ but I doubt the litterbox situation will ever diminish. All I can say is thank God for bleach. Lots of it.

Over the past couple years I’ve longed for a furry companion. For many very sane, logical reasons, P is resistant to the idea. But my dog or cat desiring does not diminish. Petfinder and I are very close. There is something unique and awesome about dogs and cats. They’re very different, and pro-cat and pro-dog can be very polarized social groups, but both offer us something we need: love, responsibility and a break from the routine.

Whether a cat just wanted to snuggle, tried to escape repeatedly, or got into a boxing match with the screen door, the RPCers made me laugh (and sometimes fear for the longevity of my hand’s attachment to my arm). Nonetheless, they brightened my day and I hope I did a little to brighten theirs. But they’re cats. Who knows if they care.

***

Dispatch this week to Sal Pal!

Bill Would Require Lawmakers Be Told of Kill or Capture Missions

Lawmakers Introduce Bill Requiring Court Order to Seize Phone Records

Terrorist Entered Witness Protection, Then Fled the United States

Lawmakers Press Pentagon to Fund Battlefield Network

Carrier-Based Unmanned Jet Launch Set to Open New Markets

(Received May 17 — 12 p.m.)

Brigadier-General BOYLE:

We have satisfactory information that all the rebel cavalry but Morgan and Pegram have their headquarters at McMinnville, and I do not believe a word about Buckner with 12,000 or 20,000 men being at Beaver Creek.

W.S. ROSECRANS,

Major-General.

**********

MAY 17, 1863.

Major-General HALLECK, General-in-Chief, Washington:

The following dispatches have just been received from the front:

Gilbert telegraphs to General Willcox that a citizen from Knox County, Kentucky, says that he has news that twenty-four rebel regiments are concentrating at Morristown for a move into Kentucky, and that another force, under General Buckner, is at Clinton; that a brigade will occupy Williamsburg in a few days; that this news is direct from Colonel Palmer’s headquarters in Clinton.

WILLCOX.

General Boyle telegraphs:

That Manson says Jacob reports he has heard from good authority that Buckner is at or near Beaver Creek, on south side of the river, with from 12,000 to 20,000 men. Is throwing bridge across river. Jacob believes it to be so. Have directed him to send a party to ascertain if this is true.

BOYLE.

If these reports prove true, we shall have our hands full with the force we have here, but we will do the best we can.

A.E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General.

(Same to Rosecrans.)

**********

MAY 17, 1863.

General BOYLE, Louisville, Ky.:

Notify Manson, Hobson, and Judah that they must watch the movements of the enemy very closely, keeping their scouts well out, and gain all the information they can, even at the expense of a few of their men. If the enemy advance, they must impede his progress as much as possible, making no precipitate retreat. Send frequent information to these headquarters, and I will see that all available help is sent you, if they come in on your lines. Let the troops in the rear keep two or three days’ cooked rations on hand, and be ready to march. Judah and Graham should keep their empty trains in the rear as much as possible, so as to be unencumbered. Make arrangements with the railroad company to transfer troops from one point to another on the shortest route.

A.E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General.

(Willcox ordered to give same instructions to Carter and Gilbert.)

]]> http://abusergoestowork.com/2013/05/16/8516/ Thu, 16 May 2013 18:39:27 +0000 pgbarnes http://abusergoestowork.com/2013/05/16/8516/ http://theguerrillablog.wordpress.com/2013/05/16/guerrilla-blog-dispatches-may-16-2013/ Thu, 16 May 2013 14:00:32 +0000 Teddy Wilson http://theguerrillablog.wordpress.com/2013/05/16/guerrilla-blog-dispatches-may-16-2013/

Senators Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Arm Syrian Rebels

Navy Launches Unmanned Aircraft From Carrier

Hagel Announces Unpaid Leave for Pentagon Civilians

Defense Employees Lose 20 Percent of Pay to Sequestration

Government Probe Obtains Wide Swath of AP Phone Records

Register in advance online, or by contacting um-admit@maine.edu or 207-581-1561. Same-day registration begins at 6 p.m.

Fall 2012 marked the first class of Brunswick Engineering, a 2+2 program that allows students to study engineering close to home in Brunswick and finish up the last two years in civil, mechanical, electrical and computer engineering at UMaine. Students in the SMCC Pre-Engineering program can transfer to the university of their choice, but the program is designed to provide a variety of transfer opportunities between the University of Maine and SMCC, including a 2+2.

Resources and more information

• UMaine Brunswick Engineering
• SMCC Pre-Engineering
• Anita Bernhardt
  Science and Technology Specialist
  Science and Technology website
  207-624-6835
  anita.bernhardt@maine.gov

The mPower Loan Fund, which provides loans for adaptive equipment with the support of the Maine Department of Education’s Maine CITE program, announced Monday that two of their representatives participated in the RESNA Catalyst Project meeting in Washington, D.C., last week. Maine CITE was the driving force behind the mPower board obtaining $750,000 in additional federal funds five years ago.

Kathy Adams and James Marc-Aurele co-presented “Moving from Good to Great: Financial Loan Program Evolutions” as part of a panel presentation on Alternative Financing Programs. The focal point of the presentation was that loan programs need unique and varied strategies to continue growing and evolving in an ever-changing economic and political landscape. Each member of the panel presented on his or her state loan activities and gave a perspective on how each was able to move forward and succeed.

The Maine CITE program is designed to help make assistive and universally designed technology more available to Maine children, adults and seniors who need them. Maine CITE is committed to helping Maine citizens with disabilities increase access to and acquisition of assistive technology when needed to participate in education, community living, employment and information technology/telecommunications.

“We have had a very successful collaboration between Maine CITE and mPower,” said Adams. “We have been able to expand the reach of the program in what we refer to as the AFP (Alternate Financing Program) portion of the mPower program.”

The mPower Loan Fund provides Maine citizens and businesses with affordable loans to create access or buy equipment to achieve independence, life enrichment and community participation. After the initial launch, Maine voters passed two bond issues to fund the program. This makes mPower the only citizen-funded loan program in the country. In the past 25 years, more than $23 million has been loaned to individuals and businesses across Maine. As loans are repaid, money is made available for additional mPower loans, creating an ongoing resource for Mainers with disability-related needs.

“We had the opportunity to share the history and successes of mPower, as well as some of our recent marketing efforts,” said Marc-Aurele. “mPower was the first program of its kind in the country when it was launched in 1989. It serves as a national model for alternative financing programs. We were excited to have the opportunity to present our strategies so that others could consider procedures and tactics that they might be able to incorporate into their own programs.”

For additional information about the mPower Loan Fund or Maine CITE, go to www.mpowerloans.org and www.mainecite.org.

Resources and more information

• Maine CITE Program
• mPower Loan Fund
• Kathleen Powers
  Maine CITE
  207-621-3195
  kpowers@mainecite.org

RSU #64 in Corinth is in the process of planning for a regional elementary school. The school has selected an architect and a site and is currently working on programming the proposed school.

Sanford has two proposed projects: a high school/CTE facility and an elementary school. An architectural firm has been hired for the high school/CTE project, and the firm is in the process of studying the existing site and possible new sites. There has been no formal action on the proposed elementary school project.

RSU #19 in Newport has two proposed projects: a high school and an elementary school. Administrators are talking with neighboring school systems about the possibility of joining together for a high school/CTE project. There has been no formal action on the proposed elementary school project.

RSU #71 in Fryeburg has a proposed elementary school project. They have hired an architect and are in the process of planning an addition to their middle school for a PreK-8 school.

Resources and more information

• School Facilities Services
• Scott Brown, Director
  Maine DOE School Facilities Services
  207-624-6883
  scott.brown@maine.gov