Defense of Bowling Green

Although the exact location of McCook's division, including the Seventeenth Kentucky, is not indicated in the official records, it is likely they are in the vicinity of Bowling Green, where the rest of Buell's army is converging.  The following communication describes the situatiion on this day in 1862.

Ref.:  http://ehistory.osu.edu/osu/sources/recordView.cfm?Content=023/0520

BOWLING GREEN, KY., September 16, 1862.
Colonel BRUCE, Commanding Forces:

SIR: Major-General Buell directs that you post the main body of your troops at Bowling Green, with a view to holding College Hill, and that you keep in readiness to march with the entire command and all the trains at a moment's notice. You must, however, be prepared to make a vigorous defense in case you are attacked. Keep your cavalry out on the principal roads and keep yourself fully informed of all the movements of the enemy by this means and by scouts. Have all the subsistence stores loaded into the wagons, and these, with the ammunition train and all the trains of the troops, parked near the Hill, within direct control of your command. Be especially careful of the ammunition and provision trains and be prepared to send them forward at any moment. Have foraging paries sent out under proper officers to secure forage for all the animals, and see that this is done in a proper manner, receipts being given for payment made to loyal citizens in all cases, and that no depredations are committed. Send parties at once to repair the telegraph wire from this point toward Louisville, and keep in communication by telegraph with General Buell's headquarters, on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad south of this place. Grant no leave of absence, and preserve watchfulness and discipline throughout your command.Report anything of interest that comes to your knowledge and inform yourself fully all the roads leading to and from Bowling Green.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. M. WRIGHT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.