Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Official Reports: Action at Rockcastle Hills, or Camp Wildcat, Ky.. October 21, 1861. No. 1. — Reports of Brig. Gen. George H. Thomas, U. S. Army.

No. 1.

Reports of Brig. Gen. George H. Thomas, U. S. Army.

HEADQUARTERS CAMP DICK ROBINSON,        
October 22, 1861—4 a.m.

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.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. H. THOMAS,        
Brigadier-General, U. S. Vols., Commanding.
Brig. Gen. W. T. SHERMAN,
        Comdg. Dep't of the Cumberland, Louisville, Ky.
_______________

HEADQUARTERS CAMP DICK ROBINSON,        
October 23, 1861.

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.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. H. THOMAS,        
Brigadier-General, U.S. Vols.
Brig. Gen. W. T. SHERMAN,
        Comdg. Dep't of the Cumberland.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 4 (Serial No. 4), p. 205-6

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