| Huntsville, February 8, 1862 |
| |
| General Johnston |
| |
| The Federal gunboats have
landed at Florence, 5 miles from Tuscumbia and 48 miles west of
Decatur; are marching on Tuscumbia; how many boats or men there are not
known. |
| The citizens here have one
brass 6-pounder in order, and the M. and C. R. R. {Memphis
& Charleston RR} one Parrott rifled 6-pounder and
carriage, but not wheels; also one not mounted at all. |
| A company of men with
infantry arms go from here some time to-night to assistance of
Tuscumbia. |
| Can you give us any
information, orders, or relief? Our trains, except one, are out of
their reach, and that one may be for what we can learn. |
| A. J. Hopper |
| Superintendent Eastern Division, M. and
C. R. R. |
|