Page "Albert Sidney Johnston" Paragraph 10

On September 10, 1861, Johnston was assigned to command the huge area of the Confederacy west of the Allegheny Mountains, except for coastal areas.

He became commander of the Confederacy's western armies in the area often called the Western Department or Western Military Department.

After his appointment, Johnston immediately headed for his new territory.

He was permitted to call on governors of Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi for new troops, although this authority was largely stifled by politics, especially with respect to Mississippi.

On September 13, 1861, in view of the decision of the Kentucky legislature to side with the Union after the occupation of Columbus by Polk, Johnston ordered Brig.

Gen. Felix Zollicoffer with 4, 000 men to occupy Cumberland Gap in Kentucky in order to block Union troops from coming into eastern Tennessee.

By September 18, Johnston had Brig.

Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner with another 4, 000 men blocking the railroad route to Tennessee at Bowling Green, Kentucky.