Albert Sidney Johnston was Jefferson Davis' favorite general, but Davis had handed Johnston an impossible situation in Kentucky, with far too few men to do the job that needed to be done. Don Carlos Buell was another McClellan; constantly dithering and finding excuses not to move, Ulysses S. Grant and Andrew H. Foote were two leaders who were willing to move aggressively, and they were beginning to suspect that Johnston's line was weak. Rebel war clerk John B. Jones noted the worsening situation in Kentucky in his journal on this day 150 years ago.
JANUARY 23D.—Again the Northern papers give the most extravagant numbers to our army in Kentucky. Some estimates are as high as 150,000. I know, and Mr.: Benjamin knows, that Gen. Johnston has not exceeding 29,000 effective men. And the Secretary knows that Gen. J. has given him timely notice of the inadequacy of his force to hold the position at Bowling Green. The Yankees are well aware of our weakness, but they intend to claim the astounding feat of routing 150,000 men with 100,000! And they suppose that by giving us credit for such a vast army, we shall not deem it necessary to send reinforcements. Well, reinforcements are not sent.
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