No. 2.
Reports of Brig.
Gen. A. Schoepf, U. S. Army.
CAMP ON ROCKCASTLE
RIVER, October 22, 1861.
SIR: I sent up this
morning all the spare wagons on hand. Please send me supplies of provisions of
all kinds.
I sent an express to
your headquarters yesterday, with a rough pencil note of the events of the day.
The enemy has not since presented himself. I sent out scouts this morning to
ascertain his whereabouts. These scouts have since returned, and report that
the enemy have fully retreated in the direction of London.
Our loss yesterday
is ascertained to be 4 killed and 18 wounded. On examination of the battle
ground I set the enemy's loss down at 30 killed, with a large wounded list, the
latter taken by them off the field (as I learn from an intelligent citizen in
the vicinity), except 3, which were brought into our camp and properly cared
for; one since died. Our wounded are doing well.
These prisoners, all
examined separately by myself, gave the same statement relative to the strength
of the enemy, viz, about 7,000.
The enemy fought
well, approaching to within about 50 yards of our muskets with shouts and
cheers, which were promptly responded to by our men, under the immediate
command of Colonels Coburn and Wolford.
I yesterday asked
for artillery ammunition and caps for rifles, to which I would now add a
further supply of musket cartridges and caps.
The troops now en
route for this camp will be held on the opposite side of the river for the
present. I can hold my position with my present force against an equal or
superior number, should the enemy again attack.
I will await further
orders before following the enemy.
In the pocket of one
of the wounded prisoners was found a letter to the commander of a Tennessee
(secession) regiment, urging him to send forward his regiment to the relief of
General Zollicoffer.
Commanding First Kentucky Brigade, Camp Dick Robinson.
P. S.—I have just learned from a citizen on the route of the retreating enemy that they acknowledge a loss of 100 killed.
HDQRS. CAMP WILDCAT,
October 23, 1861.
GENERAL: I have
reliable information that the enemy have retreated to Laurel Bridge, 9 miles
south of London, and are moving southward. I have conversed with intelligent
persons from the vicinity of London, thence to Cumberland Gap, and am of the
opinion that I can advance to that point (Cumberland Gap) and scatter the
forces of Zollicoffer en route, and by turning the Gap get and hold
possession of it, and perhaps the great railroad from Richmond, Va., and
Manassas to Memphis and the South. Shall I do it? Should such movement meet
your approval, I would suggest that all the re-enforcements which can possibly
be spared from Camp Dick Robinson be sent forward, a depot of supplies (on a
small scale) be established at Crab Orchard, and a similar one at Wild Cat (my
present position), upon which I could fall back in case of an emergency. I am
credibly informed that supplies can be obtained for my present (or larger)
force between this point and Cumberland Gap. Hon. Mr. Maynard, of Tennessee, is
of this opinion. I shall await your orders.
Commanding Brigade, &c.
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