It was now very
cold, and the ground was frozen hard all day, in consequence of which our wagon
train did not get as far as Jamestown. In place of moving with his train, or at
least going no further than it could go over the frozen roads, McNairy pressed
on through Jamestown, down Cumberland Mountain to Camp McGinnison Wolf River—a
march of about a thirty-one miles. The result was his men were without tents
and rations one very cold night, and until late in the afternoon the next day.*
The following explains itself:
HEADQUARTERS,
KNOXVILLE, November 26, 1861.
Hon. J. P. Benjamin, Secretary of Ilar:
Sir-I
have the honor to report that I arrived here on Saturday last, by order of
General Zollicoffer, and assumed command of this post on Sunday. I found
stationed here Colonel Wood's Battalion and several companies of infantry and
cavalry.
.
. . There are now in custody here about seventy persons, many of whom, it is
believed, were either directly or indirectly connected with the burning of the
railroad bridges. Colonel Wood (Sixteenth Alabama), who was in command here
before my arrival, had in contemplation a court-martial for the trial of those
upon whom proof of guilt seemed to be strong. I concurred with him, and ordered
the meeting on the 28th. . . .
It
is important that steam power should be secured for the purpose of driving the
machinery necessary in the alterations of arms. I therefore took possession of
the printing establishment of Brownlow. The steam engine and building are
suitable for our purposes, and it was the only one that could be procured here.
Brownlow
has left, and no certain information of his whereabouts can be obtained. It is,
however, certain that he is aiding and abetting our enemies. . . .
With
high respect, your obedient servant,
WM.
H. CARROLL,
Brigadier-General Commanding.
_______________
* As I was just out
of a spell of fever, I did not wish to take the frozen ground that night
without even a tent for shelter, so I rode over to my friend Lathan's, with
whom I staid while sick of the measles in September (about one mile from Camp
McGinnis), to see if I could get to lodge with him another night. As I neared
his house, and before I saw him, he called out, “Yes, you may get down.” I yet
feel grateful to Mr. Lathan for the comforts of that night.
1 Rebellion
Records, Vol. VII., pp. 704 and 705.
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