To Mrs. Lyon
Feb. 2, 1862.—Large numbers of troops, several regiments of General McClernard’s Brigade, leave here today for Smithland, at the mouth of the Cumberland river. It is supposed they will go on an expedition up the Cumberland river. We were attached to this brigade, but I now learn we are to be attached to General Paine’s Brigade. He is in command at Bird’s Point, just across the Mississippi river, in Missouri.
Our fear now is that the fight will come off at Bowling Green before we start, and if the rebels are defeated there they may retreat from Columbus without giving us battle. We really want a turn with them at Columbus.
