SIR: I felt of
the enemy's intrenched camp at Rockcastle Hills, on the road from London to
Mount Vernon, on the 21st instant; found the position almost a natural
fortification. My information [was] that the enemy was nine regiments strong
there, and large reserves between there and Cincinnati. I fell back on the 22d,
and will retire to Cumberland Gap, where I have placed a number of guns in
position. The Log Mountains will soon be impassable, making this position
difficult to hold. If the enemy advances, the approach is likely to be by way
of Jacksborough or Jamestown. So soon, therefore, as I can complete the work,
strengthening the pass at the Cumberland Gap (now in a few days), I will
dispose my forces so as to be ready to meet the enemy on either of the other
routes.
I hope you and
Lieutenant-Colonel McClellan will co-operate to watch that border, and give me
early and frequent reliable intelligence.
Learning that the
enemy had retired from Albany, and desiring to see that the guns were all in
position at the gap, I determined to return this way.
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