SIR: On the 10th
instant I apprised Adjutant-General Cooper that I expected on the 12th to have
three regiments at Cumberland Ford and three other regiments there as soon as
they could be withdrawn from other posts, and I added:
The
country beyond Cumberland Gap, toward Nelson's Camp, is poor and hostile. To
make secure our line of communication with the sources of our supplies, it is
essential to strengthen the positions at Cumberland Gap, Cumberland Ford, and
the intervening passes of the Three Log Mountains. This may be accomplished, I
trust, in a few days after the six infantry regiments get to the Ford, when we
will be ready to make a forward movement.
On the 13th I
received dispatches from Governor Harris and General Buckner, urging me to
arrest my movement at the State line, if possible. These dispatches came too
late, reaching me after my return from London. I replied to Governor Harris by
telegraph, requesting him to transmit to Governor Magoffin the following note:
- Brigadier-General Felix K. Zollicoffer to Governor Beriah Magoffin, September 14, 1861
Last night General
Cooper telegraphed me in reference to my suggestion of the 10th, that, after
strengthening the mountain passes, “we will be ready to make a forward
movement,” as follows:
The
military considerations clearly indicate the forward movement which you
propose. The political condition of Kentucky affects the determination of the
question. Of that you are better informed than ourselves; and as you are
supposed to have conferred with General A. S. Johnston, the matter is left to
your discretion.
There are probably
by this time four regiments at Cumberland Ford, and a fifth at the Gap, 15
miles this side. A sixth will probably be moved up by the 21st or 22d; and if
the state of things in Greene County, where there has been some excitement, is
such as I suppose, I am not able yet to indicate within what time proper
defenses in the mountain passes can be completed, but every effort will be made
to push the work forward vigorously. I hope to go there to-morrow. Would have
gone earlier, but have been detained by pressing necessities here. I meant to
say to General Cooper that we would be ready to make a forward movement, should
it be deemed advisable.
I find myself at a
loss, under present condition of things, how to obtain reliable information of
the strength and movements of the enemy. I will endeavor to place before you
promptly information I may receive and all circumstances enabling you to
understand our condition. I inclose the most perfect report we are now able to
make of the various corps, scattered as they now are at distant posts.*
* Not found.
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