Our forces too small to do good, and too large to sacrifice.
W.T.SHERMAN, Brigadier-General.
HEADQUARTERS THE DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Louisville, Kentucky, November 6, 1861 General L.THOMAS, Adjutant-General.
Sir: General McClellan telegraphs me to report to him daily the situation of affairs here.

The country is so large that it is impossible to give clear and definite views.

Our enemies have a terrible advantage in the fact that in our midst, in our camps, and along our avenues of travel, they have active partisans, farmers and business-men, who seemingly pursue their usual calling, but are in fact spies.

They report all our movements and strength, while we can procure information only by circuitous and unreliable means.
I inclose you the copy of an intercepted letter, which is but the type of others.

Many men from every part of the State are now enrolled under Buckner--have gone to him--while ours have to be raised in neighborhoods, and cannot be called together except at long notice.