No. 1.
Reports of Brig.
Gen. George H. Thomas, U. S. Army.
GENERAL: I have just
received a dispatch from General Schoepf, at the Rockcastle Hills. He writes
that the enemy attacked the camp with 6,000 infantry and 1,500 cavalry, and
were repulsed and driven back, as he says, behind their intrenchments. He
reports 4 of our men killed and 20 wounded. Among the latter was Captain
Hauser, Thirty-third Indiana, who rejoined his regiment after the amputation of
his finger.
General Schoepf
regards the position as secure. I am sending forward provisions and ammunition
in addition to the supply taken by the troops. I thought it more advisable, in
the present confused state of the quartermaster's department here, to remain at
this post myself, sending forward Generals Schoepf and Carter, who are on the
ground with 5,000 men. As soon as I can arrange matters here I will go forward
myself.
Comdg. Dep't of the Cumberland, Louisville, Ky.
GENERAL: I wrote you
on the 22d, giving the substance of General
Schoepf's report of the events of the 21st at Rockcastle Hills. I have just
received another dispatch from him, in which he reports that his scouts had
just returned and report the enemy “have fully retreated in the direction of
London. Our loss 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, who were brought into our camp
and properly cared for; 1 since dead. Our wounded are doing well.
“The 3 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 fifty 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.
“In the pocket of
one of the wounded prisoners was found a letter to the commander of a secession
Tennessee regiment, urging him to send forward his regiment to the relief of
General Zollicoffer. I have just learned from a citizen on the route of the
retreating enemy that they acknowledged a loss of 100 killed."
I shall begin to
move the depot to-morrow as far to the front as Crab Orchard, and advance
troops to or beyond London as soon as I possibly can. Although I have sufficient
ammunition for a battle, I would be obliged if you will have my requisition of
the 12th instant filled and sent forward as soon as possible. I find a rumor in
the papers that General Lee will supersede Zollicoffer. If he does, I should
wish to be prepared for him fully. The canister and grape have reached here
to-night, and I will forward them to-morrow.
The contractors,
Theodore Comstock, of Columbus, Ohio, and Heil-debach, Seasongood & Co., of
Cincinnati, have violated their contracts, copies of which I inclose, as well
as copies of my letters to them. The man Comstock had money placed in the hands
of Jones Brothers & Co., to be paid to him as soon as his overcoats were
received, yet he has never delivered the five hundred. The Cincinnati firm furnished
a few things, but have failed to deliver anything since the 18th. I fear from
what I can learn that they were led away from the path of common honesty by the
tempting offer of the governor of Ohio. He pays them $10 for each overcoat. I
hope I have your authority for publishing their names in the Cincinnati papers.
Comdg. Dep't of the Cumberland.
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