Diary of Private Adam S. Johnston, June 4, 1862

Left Cowen’s Station and marched over the Cumberland Mountains to Cumberland Gap or Sweden Valley. Came upon a camp of General Adams’ rebel cavalry, seven-thousand in number, who stood us a fight, being the second engagement that we were personally engaged in. Three fires from our batteries put them to flight; and in following up their retreat we lost two men out of Colonel Haggerty’s regiment of Kentucky Cavalry. Our Forces captured a first-rate cooked dinner, just ready to be sit down to eat; and corn, leather and ammunition of all kinds, haversacks made out of every sort of material, women’s carpet-sacks and clothes, even down to babies’ frocks, that these scoundrels had stolen from the Union families of the valley they had passed through—all of which fell into our hands and those hellish fiends had to flee from to save capturing of themselves and their whole army, losing many of their men killed and wounded by our forces, and a number of prisoners falling into our hands. After dinner we encamped for the night on their camp or battleground, making a march of 15 miles.

SOURCE: Adam S. Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 14-5

Brigadier-General William H. Carroll to Judah P Benjamin, December 13, 1861

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS,        

Knoxville, Tenn., December 13, 1861.

Hon. J.P. BENJAMIN,
        Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.:

SIR: Your order to me of the 10th instant to join General Zollicoffer immediately with all my armed force reached me last night. I immediately set about making the necessary arrangements to carry the same into effect, as indeed I had been doing for some days previous, under instructions from General Zollicoffer himself. A portion if not all of my command would now have been on the march for General Zollicoffer's present position but for the unsettled condition of affairs in East Tennessee, together with other obstacles that I have been utterly unable to overcome, though I have made every possible exertion to that effect, but as yet without success.

In justice to myself I feel that I may very properly lay before you the nature and extent of the embarrassments under which I have labored ever since I assumed my present command. When the President did me the honor to appoint me a brigadier-general in the Provisional Army I confidently expected to have had my entire brigade thoroughly armed within twenty days at furthest from that time, as I have taken every precaution to secure sufficient arms for that purpose while raising and organizing the regiments which I now have the honor to command. Early in the month of September I procured about 2,000 ordinary country rifles, and placed them in the Government armories at Memphis, Nashville, and Murfreesborough. In order to have them altered—made of uniform length and caliber, and fitted with a sword-bayonet. At that time I was assured by the armory officers at those places that these guns would be repaired and ready for use by the middle of October. On the 26th of that month you telegraphed to them to lay aside all other guns and put their whole force at work upon mine. This they informed me they did; but when I received your orders of the 3d of November to advance to this place and report to General Zollicoffer not a single gun had been completed.

The indications of an extensive outbreak in East Tennessee at that time were so alarming, that I deemed it unsafe to move my command through that country wholly unarmed. I therefore made application in every direction for guns of any description, to serve me until my own should be ready for use. I finally, after much annoyance, succeeded in getting from the arsenal at Memphis about 400 flint-lock muskets, rifles, and double-barreled shot-guns. With these, imperfect and almost worthless as they were, I advanced to Chattanooga, and halted my forces for a few days, for the purpose of dispersing the different bands of traitors who were gathering in that vicinity. This object being accomplished, I moved on to this point. When I reached here I found a general feeling of alarm and uneasiness prevailing throughout the surrounding country. Information every day reached me from all points that recreant Tennesseeans, with a few miscreants from other States, were organizing themselves into predatory bands in the counties of Blount, Sevier, Cocke, Hancock, Scott, Campbell, and other counties bordering on the North Carolina and Kentucky line. I immediately sent out scouting parties of cavalry, together with such small detachments of infantry as I could arm, to protect and assist the loyal citizens of these counties in driving these base ingrates from their midst. These various parties have succeeded in arresting many of the rebellious and disaffected, and bringing them to this place for trial. Out of the number thus arrested I have sent and will send about 100, as prisoners of war, to Tuscaloosa. I have for some days past been receiving information, from sources entitled to much credit, that a considerable force of the enemy were threatening a descent from the Kentucky border upon the counties of Campbell and Scott, by way of a small pass in the mountains above Cumberland Gap.

To-day I am in receipt of information, which apparently admits of no doubt, that a body of the enemy, some 500 strong, had attacked the town of Huntsville, and captured a company of cavalry stationed at that place. Other less reliable reports place the number of the enemy at 2,000. I have therefore made arrangements to dispatch Colonel White there with all the armed force I can command, with orders to attack them if not too strong, and if the numbers are too great to fall back until I can re-enforce him. The country abounds in mountain passes and ravines, and a position well selected can be easily held against largely superior numbers. This movement will not delay the prompt execution of your order, as the place mentioned is near my line of march to join General Zollicoffer. During the time I have been here I have continued my exertions to procure arms from every source where they were likely to be obtained, though almost entirely without success. A few days ago I dispatched one of my officers to General Johnston, at Bowling Green, with a statement of my condition, and an urgent appeal for arms of some description, if he should have any at his disposal; but he dispatches me that none are to be had. I have also sent a competent armory officer to Memphis upon a similar mission. From him I learn that 500 of my rifles will be ready by Monday next. These will be forwarded immediately. He further informs me that the remainder will soon be repaired and sent on, as they are being pushed forward as rapidly as possible. Two hundred of those left at Nashville were sent me some days ago, but so imperfectly repaired as to be wholly unfit for use, as you will see from the inclosed report from the ordnance officer at this place. The repairs on these I am having completed here, and will have them finished as soon as possible.

I have here now three regiments fully organized and another in process of formation, besides seven companies of cavalry, amounting in all to about 4,000 men, who could be brought immediately into the field if I could only supply them with arms. Out of my entire force I could not muster more than 300 men efficiently armed. A few hundred more have old hunting guns, but they are of little or no service in their present condition. I still hope that all my guns will be ready in a very short time. I send to Richmond Lieut. Col. E. J. Golladay, one of my best-informed and most discreet officers, to represent to you more fully the true condition of my command. His suggestions may perhaps be of service in shaping the policy proper to pursue in the region of country of which I have spoken.

For a detailed statement of the operations of my command since taking the field, together with an account of all the other forces now in East Tennessee, I beg to call your attention to my report made to Maj. Gen. G. B. Crittenden on the 9th instant, and by him forwarded to the office of the Adjutant and Inspector General. Colonel Golladay can also give you much valuable information of the strength, condition, &c., of the different commands in this portion of the State, together with the state of public feeling and real condition of the country here.

I have the honor to be, yours, respectfully,

WM. H. CARROLL,        

Brigadier-General, C. S. Army.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 7 (Serial No. 7), p. 764-6

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Monday, December 23, 1861

I went back to camp, fifteen miles from Mr. West's.

Zollicoffer wrote to A. S. Johnston, Bowling Green, Kentucky, as follows:

SIR—I feel it my duty frankly to say that the failure to receive the reserves and supplies I ordered up a month ago, and upon which in part the plan of campaign was predicated, has given and is likely to give serious embarrassment.

I now receive no responses to communications addressed to Knoxville connected with the most important details.

I have five (four and a half) regiments north of the river and two south. The strength of the enemy is unknown, but it is reported by the country people to be very large.

There are now, I learn, in East Tennessee,¹ besides the force at Cumberland Gap, eight full regiments and a Georgia Battalion, a battery of artillery and eight cavalry companies. I beg respectfully to say that it cannot be that half this force is required there.

On the other hand, were this column strengthened properly, the enemy could not venture to pass London to attack Cumberland Gap. We could open the Cumberland and drive the enemy from Somerset and Columbia.²

_______________

¹ On the 10th of December General Carroll reported his brigade five thousand strong, and all other troops in East Tennessee at six thousand-total, eleven thousand.—Rebellion Records, Vol. V11., p. 751.

² Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 786.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 100-1

Brigadier-General Feliz K. Zollicoffer to Lieutenant-Colonel William W. Mackall, December 23,

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS,        

Beech Grove, Ky., December 23, 1861.

Lieutenant-Colonel MACKALL,
        Assistant Adjutant-General, Bowling Green, Ky.:

SIR: I feel it my duty frankly to say that the failure to receive the reserves and supplies I ordered up a month ago, and upon which in part the plan of campaign was predicated, has given and is likely to give serious embarrassment. I now receive no responses to communications addressed to Knoxville connected with the most important details. I have five regiments north of the river and two south. The strength of the enemy is unknown, but it is reported by the country people to be very large. There are now, I learn in East Tennessee, besides the force at Cumberland Gap, eight full regiments and the Georgia battalion, a battery of artillery, and eight cavalry companies. I beg respectfully to say that it cannot be that half this force is required there. On the other hand, were this column strengthened properly, the enemy could not venture to pass London to attack Cumberland Gap. We could open the Cumberland and drive the enemy from Somerset and Columbia.

I trouble you with these suggestions, about which I feel the deepest concern, because I learn that Major-General Crittenden has gone to Richmond.

Very respectfully,

F. K. ZOLLICOFFER,        

Brigadier-General.

P. S.—Inclosed I send copies of a general order* and a proclamation I have deemed it expedient to print and circulate.

_______________

* Order not found.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 7 (Serial No. 7), p. 786

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Tuesday, November 5, 1861

Our battalion moved (twelve miles) from Camp Buckner to within four miles of the Gap, where we remained until Thursday, November 7th.

McNairy's Battalion marched out of Kentucky, through Cumberland Gap, thence along a fertile valley in the direction of Jacksborough, Tennssee, and bivouacked eighteen miles from the Gap.

General Zollicoffer set out for Jacksborough yesterday from the Gap. Four regiments of infantry (Battle's, Cumming's, Newman's and Statham's), four cavalry companies (Branner) and a battery of artillery (six 6-pounders and two Parrott guns) were now in the neighborhood of Jacksborough. The Twenty-ninth Tennessee (Colonel Powell) and a battalion of the Sixteenth Alabama (Lieutenant-Colonel Harris)¹ were on their way to the same place, leaving Colonels Rains' and Churchwell's Regiments well intrenched, and seven guns in good positions at the Gap, with two companies of Brazelton's Battalion to scout in front of that position.

A military engineer, Captain Victor Sheliha, had been sent to Zollicoffer, and was now reconnoitering the mountain passes in the vicinity of Jacksborough.

Before leaving Cumberland Gap yesterday Zollicoffer received the following dispatch from Lieutenant-Colonel McClellan, stationed near Jamestown:

I have information that is entirely reliable that the enemy is approaching this point 6,000 strong-1,500 cavalry and the balance artillery and infantry. The infantry and artillery camped last night, the 3d, five miles east of Monticeliu, a portion of the cavalry in town, their pickeis seven miles below.

Colonel Murray is at Camp Zollicoffer, in Overton County. I dispatched him yesterday, urging him to move to this place. Colonel Stanton, I understand, is at Celina.²

This was the information that Zollicoffer had been expecting to receive, and, in anticipation of which, he had previously (October 31st) ordered Colonels, Stanton, Murray and McClellan to concentrate their commands, and throw up intrenchments at some suitable point, near Jamestown,³ and was now moving as rapidly as possible with the force above named, including McNairy's Battalion, by the way of Jacksborough, Clinton and Montgomery, to their support.

_______________

¹ Colonel Wood had the other battalion of this regiment with him at Knoxville. He was in command of that post.

² Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 514.

³ Ibid, p. 493.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 71-2

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Sunday, November 17, 1861

Having blockaded the roads over the mountains near Jacksborough, and believing the fortifications at Cumberland Gap very strong, our General did not think an army train of the enemy could pass the mountains anywhere between the Pound Gap, in Virginia, and Jacksborough, a distance of about one hundred and twenty miles.¹ Therefore, leaving orders for his brigade to take up the line of march again the next morning in the direction of Wartburg, General Zollicoffer went in person to Knoxville to obtain more definite information of the state of things along the line of the railroad and among the tories generally.

_______________

¹ Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 244.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 81-

Brigadier-General Felix K. Zollicoffer to Colonels Sidney S. Stanton, John P. Murray and George R. McClellan, October 31, 1861

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS,        

Cumberland Gap, October 31, 1861.

Colonel S. S. STANTON, Colonel MURRAY, and Colonel McCLELLAN,
        Near Jamestown:

Lieutenant-Colonel Mackall, General Johnston's assistant adjutant-general, telegraphs from Bowling Green that "Stanton has been ordered to Wolden Pass; also the available force of Murray and Bledsoe to Jamestown, Tenn. Both come under your [my] orders."

Where Wolden Pass is I do not know. It is important I should immediately have a perfect understanding and communication with Colonels Stanton and Murray and Captain Bledsoe. There is reason to believe the enemy intends advancing in force upon East Tennessee. Whether the route by Cumberland Gap, by Jacksborough, or by Jamestown will be selected, cannot be definitely determined. I have seven cavalry companies scouting back to Barboursville on this road, four back to Williamsburg on the Jacksborough route, and I wish Lieutenant Colonel McClellan to scout on the  road from Jamestown back to Monticello, and, if practicable, to Sta[e]gall's Ferry, to get the earliest possible reliable information of the enemy, and communicate it to me by express messengers. I am moving two regiments to Jacksborough this morning. Two others will be placed at Big Creek Gap. Four will remain here or in the neighborhood.

I wish Colonel Stanton and Colonel Murray to take a strong position near Jamestown and throw up entrenchments, looking to the protection of the commissary stores and the stopping the enemy’s advance. Let the cavalry communicate to them promptly any intelligence received; and if any movement of the enemy is made in force, let information be given to me and to General Albert S. Johnston simultaneously by the quickest possible mode of conveyance.

Very respectfully,

F. K. ZOLLICOFFER,        

Brigadier-General.

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. 493-4

Brigadier-General Felix K. Zollicoffer to Samuel Cooper, November 8, 1861

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS AT OLIVER'S,        

Twenty-three miles from Montgomery, November 8, 1861.

General S. COOPER,
        Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond:

SIR: On the 4th instant Lieutenant-Colonel McClellan sent me a dispatch, stating that he had information "entirely reliable" that 6,000 of the enemy—l,500 cavalry and the balance infantry and artillery—were encamped in 5 miles of Monticello, and were advancing towards Jamestown. He stated that he knew nothing of the whereabouts of Colonels Stanton and Murray, and that he had determined to retire with his cavalry force towards Pikeville, fearing he might be cut off if he attempted to retreat towards Montgomery.

I inferred that the enemy's force would advance towards Loudon Bridge, through Montgomery, and conceived the plan of intercepting them at Winter's Gap, in a mile of this place, or at the pass down the mountain, 18 miles from here, on the road from Montgomery to Kingston. I sent cavalry forward to pass up both roads and ascertain which way they were coming, I got the news two days ago at Cumberland Gap, and reached here this evening with my disposable force, a distance of 71 miles, one regiment having started from that gap and got up to within 15 miles of this position.

Just as I entered the road from Knoxville to Montgomery a messenger was passing from Colonel McClellan to Colonel Wood, at Knoxville, and I found he had a dispatch for me, stating that the information he had given on the 4th was founded in error. This letter is dated yesterday. He says there is a camp of the enemy 5 miles east of Monticello, but he does not know its strength or character. His pickets have been into Monticello. He is encamped at Camp McGinnis, 8 or 9 miles north of Jamestown. He says that he has not heard of Stanton and Murray for two days, but understands they are approaching.

I have determined to fall back to Jacksborough and completely blockade the two wagon roads through the mountains in that neighborhood. I have written to Stanton, Murray, and McClellan to unite their forces, and make a stand in a strong position, if they can find it, where the wagon road ascends the mountain from Monticello to Jamestown, forming intrenchments for the infantry commanding the pass. I left the regiments of Colonels Churchwell and Rains at Cumberland Gap, busily engaged in completing the works there. Within a week or ten days I think the defenses there will be very strong. I think the Jacksborough routes can soon be made effectively impassable, and then I hope to move by the Jamestown route and advance.

If you will examine the topography of the country you will perceive I have passed to this point along a valley at the foot of the mountain. The road is good. To pass from Jacksborough direct to Huntsville or Montgomery or Jamestown direct, I would have to pursue a mountain road, poor and broken, and the mountain is generally 30 or 40 miles wide.

Very respectfully,

F. K. ZOLLICOFFER,        

Brigadier-General.

(Same to Col. W. W. Mackall.)

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. 530-1

William Blount Carter to Brigadier-General George H. Thomas, October 27, 1861

NEAR KINGSTON, ROANE COUNTY, TENNESSEE,        

October 27, 1861. (Received November 4.)

General THOMAS:

SIR: I am now within a few miles of our railroad, but I have not yet had time to obtain all the information I must have before I decide on the course best for me to adopt. If I can get half a dozen brave men to “take the bull by the horns,” we can whip them completely and save the railroad. If I cannot get such leaders, we will make a desperate attempt to destroy all the bridges, and I firmly believe I will be successful.

There are 1,400 rebel troops at Knoxville, some poorly armed, some not armed, and many of them sick. There are 160 at the Loudon Bridge. I know of no other troops in East Tennessee except the 300 about whom I wrote to you from Montgomery. They have gone to Wolf River.

Zollicoffer has 6,000 men all told; 1,000 of these are sick; 600 or 800 are not armed; 1,600 of the 6,000 are at Cumberland Gap; the balance beyond the gap.

Our enemies here are very uneasy for the safety of Zollicoffer, and have been calling on Davis for help; but, as I am informed, Davis says he is so pressed on the Potomac that he can spare none of the Virginia troops.

I can gain no reliable information from Kentucky by way of Nashville. I hear of no troops passing over our railroad.

We hear, by way of Knoxville, that Garrard has driven Zollicoffer back 6 miles. I suppose it is true, as secessionists tell it.

This whole country is in a wretched condition; a perfect despotism reigns here. The Union men of East Tennessee are longing and praying for the hour when they can break their fetters. The loyalty of our people increases with the oppressions they have to bear. Men and women weep for joy when I merely hint to them that the day of our deliverance is at hand. I have not seen a secession flag since I entered the State. I beg you to hasten on to our help, as we are about to create a great diversion in General McClellan's favor. It seems to me, if you would ask it, he would spare you at once 5,000 or 10,000 well-drilled troops. Will you not ask for more help?

I know you will excuse a civilian for making suggestions to a military man, when you remember that I am risking my life and that I am about to ask my people to do the same. I find more deficiency in arms in this part of East Tennessee than I expected. You must bring some small-arms with you. I am satisfied that you will have to take the road by Monticello and Jamestown, unless you come by Cumberland Gap.

I can assure you that whoever is the leader of a successful expedition into East Tennessee will receive from these people a crown of glory of which any one might well be proud, and I know of no one on whom I would more cheerfully bestow that crown than on yourself.

I regret that I can give you no more information, but I will communicate with you as circumstances may require. Perhaps it would be well for you to let General McClellan know that I have reached East Tennesee, as I know he is very anxious for my success.

I write in great haste, but believe you may rely on all I have written.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. BLOUNT CARTER.

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. 320

Judah P. Benjamin: Special Orders, No. 216, November 11, 1861

SPECIAL ORDERS, No. 216}

ADJT. AND INSP'R GENERAL'S OFFICE,        

Richmond, Va., November 11, 1861.

1. Col. Danville Leadbetter, Provisional Army, is hereby assigned to the command of the troops to be stationed for the protection of the railroad between Bristol and Chattanooga, Tenn. He will reconstruct bridges, repair and keep open the line of communication between those points, and will call upon railroad companies for such aid as he may require to carry out this order.

*          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *

3. Maj. Gen. G. B. Crittenden, Provisional Army, will immediately proceed to Cumberland Gap, Ky., and assume command of the troops in that district, reporting at once by letter to General A. S. Johnston at Bowling Green, Ky.

*          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *

By command of the Secretary of War:

JNO. WITHERS,        

Assistant Adjutant-General.

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. 538

Brigadier-General Felix K. Zollicoffer to Lieutenant Colonel William W. Mackall, November 17, 1861

KNOXVILLE, TENN., November 17, 1861.

Lieutenant-Colonel MACKALL, Bowling Green, Ky.:

SIR: Having blockaded the roads over the mountains near Jacksborough, and believing the fortifications at Cumberland Gap very strong, I do not think an army train of the enemy can pass the mountains anywhere between the Pound Gap, in Virginia, and Jacksborough, a distance of about 120 miles. I have started the regiments of Colonels Statham, Newman, Cummings, and Battle, the first battalion of the Sixteenth Alabama Regiment, and Branner's battalion of cavalry, with Rutledge's battery, around by Wartburg, on the way to Jamestown, Tenn., and Monticello, Ky.

I came here rapidly last night to obtain more definite information of the state of things along the line of the railroad and among the tories generally. I will leave for Wartburg this evening, feeling that there is no necessity for remaining longer. General Carroll telegraphs me from Chattanooga that he is there with two regiments, half armed. I have ordered him here, with such of his command as are not engaged in pursuing Clift, a leading tory of Hamilton County, and his followers. Three different expeditions are moving from different points upon Clift's men. I fear they will disperse and take to the mountain fastnesses, eluding our forces. A Pensacola regiment, I learn, is at Chattanooga, and a regiment from Virginia is near Elizabethton, I hear. The present indications are that the tories are about being rapidly overwhelmed. I am seizing arms of Union men known to be inimical to Confederate Government, and hope in this way to arm Carroll's men who are not already armed. I propose to take and strengthen a position between Monticello and Somerset, giving us facilities for commanding the Cumberland River, the coal region supplying Nashville, &c. If I can clear the banks of the Cumberland of our enemies, supplies may this winter be furnished us by boats from Nashville. So soon as the state of things will justify, I would be pleased that General Carroll's brigade would support me in a forward movement.

Very respectfully,

F. K. ZOLLICOFFER,        

Brigadier-General.

P. S.—I should probably state to you more in detail what I telegraphed on the 15th, that I have information I think reliable that the enemy have no infantry nearer Cumberland Gap than London, where there are four regiments. They have about 200 cavalry at Barboursville. They have, I think, three regiments at Somerset, and are raising a fourth. They have a regiment at Crab Orchard, one at Rockcastle Camp, and one at Camp Dick Robinson. I suppose they have a regiment of cavalry at Somerset and near Monticello. My information is that six regiments, under General Nelson, advanced on Prestonburg, before whom Colonel Williams has retired through the Pound Gap.

Very respectfully,

F. K. ZOLLICOFFER,        

Brigadier-General.

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. 244-5

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Monday, October 21, 1861

General Zollicoffer sent the following telegram this morning to General Johnston, Bowling Green Kentucky:

One Ohio Regiment said to be twelve miles distant. Another regiment of the enemy a few miles beyond. I will feel of them today with two regiments and some cavalry. My force here is about 5,400.¹

Johnston replied, the same day, thus:

Your telegram from London received. The information we have of the enemy in your front is this: 10,000 at Camp Dick Robinson, of these 4,000 are in advance toward Cumberland Gap, but how far is not known; it is commanded by Garrard; and 10,000 dotted from Robinson to Cincinnati.

General Polk ordered two howitzers, one Parrott and three iron guns to be shipped for you to Knoxville, October 15. A company to man this battery will be sent in a few days.²

On advancing with the infantry, about daybreak, Zollicoffer soon learned that the enemy had so blockaded the road, by cutting trees across it, that it was very difficult for infantry to approach the enemy's position, much less cavalry and artillery; and, moreover, the enemy's entrenched camp on Rockcastle Hills was a natural fortification, almost inaccessible, from our side of approach.

Winding their way, as best they could, between two hills, over the fallen timber, and up, up, up the rugged cliffs. Finally, about 9 A. M., the Eleventh (Rains) and Seventeenth (Newman) Tennessee Regiments attacked the Federals in their entrenchments on Rockcastle Hills. The following is taken from Colonel Newman's official report:

NEAR ROCKCASTLE HEIGHTS, October 21, 1861.

As ordered, I formed my regiment from hill-top to hill-top at open intervals to move in rear of Colonel Rains' Regiment and support him. Lieutenant-Colonel Miller was ordered to take command of the left wing, composed of Companies A, D, F and I . . . . and for the movements of said companies on the field I refer you to the report of Lieutenant-Colonel Miller, which is hereto appended and made a part of my report.³ The six companies, viz.: B, C, E, G, H and K, . . . . constituting the right wing, were under my immediate command, and moved forward in line of battle in the direction of the heights in front of our position.

Upon reaching a point within eighty yards of the heights, we discovered a number of men ascending the heights and entering the fortifications, but supposing these men to be a portion of Colonel Rains' command, I did not order them to be fired upon.

At this point we received a heavy volley of rifles and musketry. The command moved on, however, without returning the fire until within forty paces of the enemy's works before we discovered they were not Colonel Rains' men, at which time the men were ordered to cover as well as they could and to return the enemy's fire. In this position we maintained a heavy fire for twenty-five minutes, when I ordered Captain Armstrong and Lieutenant Harrison to move their companies around to my extreme right to prevent a flank movement of the enemy, which I saw they were about to make. These officers executed the order with promptness and alacrity, under fire.

The fire was kept up by all the companies for an hour and ten minutes, and, seeing that it was impossible to fall back without great loss, I ordered the works to be charged. Four companies gallantly charged the works, as ordered. Officers and men seemingly vied with each other as to who should be first to reach the works of the enemy.

After the fortification was reached, and many of my men had got within the works, driving the enemy from the first parallel, not receiving any support, and being nearly destitute of cartridges, I ordered my command to fall back, which it did in good order. While this was being executed the other two companies maintained their position as ordered. . . . . . . . . . . .

Killed, 11; wounded, 34.

All of which is respectfully submitted,

Taz. W. NEWMAN,        

Colonel Commanding Seventeenth Regiment Tennessee Volunteers.⁴

After he had fallen back to Flat Lick, between Barboursville and Camp Buckner, Zollicoffer sent the following report to A. S. Johnston:

CAMP FLAT LICK, KNOX COUNTY, October 24, 1861.

On the 21st I reached the enemy's entrenched camp, on Rockcastle Hills, a natural fortification, almost inaccessible. Having reconnoitered in force under heavy fire for several hours from heights on the right, left and in front, I became satisfied that it could not be carried otherwise than by immense exposure, if at all. received large reinforcements.

Our loss was forty-two wounded and eleven killed and missing. We captured twenty-one prisoners, about 100 guns and four horses. The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded unknown.

The country is so poor that we had exhausted the forage on the road for fifteen miles back in twenty-four hours. Our subsistence nearly exhausted. Under these circumstances I deemed it proper the next day to fall back. Enemy's camp said to be 7,000 strong, with large reserves near at hand.

Very respectfully,

F. K. ZOLLICOFFER,        

Brigadier-General.⁵

I have not been able to find Colonel Rains' official report, therefore can give no further account of the part taken by his regiment in the above action, though it would seem that the most of the fighting was done by Newman's Regiment, from the fact that Zollicoffer reports the same number, eleven, “killed and missing" from the brigade that Newman reports “killed" from his regiment; the former, however, reports eight more wounded, which may have been the loss of Rains' Regiment.⁶

Remaining in front of the Federal position, Zollicoffer made another slight attack about two o'clock, P. M., but still he could not induce the enemy to come from his intrenchments and give battle on equal footing.

The Thirty-third Indiana Infantry, under Colonel John Coburn, and the First Kentucky Cavalry, under Colonel Frank Wolford, did the most of the fighting on the part of the enemy.

I take the following from Colonel John Coburn's official report, addressed to “General A. Schoepf, Commanding Brigade:

They (Rebels) soon came near us⁷ under cover of a wood, which entirely concealed their approach until we were apprised of their presence by the firing of musketry. At this time we were reinforced by a portion of the First Kentucky Cavalry, dismounted, under Colonel Wolford, about two hundred and fifty strong, who immediately formed and took part in the engagement. The firing at this time was very severe, which caused the cavalry to waver and retreat. They were soon, however, rallied and formed again in order, and fought with good spirit.

The enemy engaged was composed of a portion of General Zollicoffer's command, and consisted of two regiments of Tennesseans, under the command of Colonels Newman and Cummings (Rains). They charged up the hill upon us, and were met by a galling and deadly fire, which wounded and killed many of them. The front of their column approached within a few rods of us with their bayonets fixed, declaring themselves “Union men,” and “all right,” at the next moment leveling their guns at us and firing.

After being engaged nearly an hour, the enemy retreated, bearing off a portion of their dead and wounded and their arms. Our men have buried their dead left on the field and taken the wounded⁸ to our hospitals. Thirty corpses have been found up to this time (October 22d). A large number of their wounded and dead were carried off in their wagons. It is safe to estimate the loss of the enemy at least one hundred killed. . . . . . . . . .

About the close of the engagement four companies of the Seventeenth Ohio, Colonel Connell, came upon the hill and formed in line of battle. . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . About two o'clock, P. M., we were again attacked. At this time the Fourteenth Ohio, Colonel Steedman, appeared upon the field. . . . . . . . . . . .

At ten o'clock at night Lieutenant Sypher, of Captain Standart's Ohio Battery, came on the hill, on an alarm fired three rounds. They were the last shots fired.

At about two o'clock in the morning we heard sounds which betokened a movement of General Zollicoffer's army. It proved to be a retreat. . . . . . . . . . . .

The number of our loss is a follows: Company D, one killed and five wounded; Company I, one killed and ten wounded, three mortally. Colonel Wolford lost one killed and eleven wounded.⁹

Colonel T. T. Garrard, Third Kentucky, who was in command at Wildcat before General Schoepf arrived, wrote to General Thomas, under October 25th, thus:

Your aid arrived in time to save us from a certain defeat (what others may say to the contrary notwithstanding). It is not necessary for me to say one word about the fight, for you have no doubt been fully posted. Though don't be deceived as to the number killed by us; my impression is that we did not kill to exceed sixteen, and wounded some thirty or forty.

Many say we lost a great victory by not pursuing the enemy. It is true, if we had have known as much then as now, we might have done.wonders. But we expected an attack the next morning, and every one was sleeping on their arms, and we never knew the enemy had left camps until near eight o'clock. We have a great many here who know precisely how to manage affairs when the enemy is out of hearing, but would be as much at a loss to do so in a fight as I would be.

I am glad to have an opportunity of proving by a Federal Colonel, who was present at Wildcat, that Colonel Coburn did greatly overestimate our loss at that place.

Supposing that all of the missing were killed, Colonel Newman reported eleven killed, but as three of them were only wounded, our loss was really eight killed and forty-five wounded, one mortally.

Colonel Garrard does not say any thing about the Federal loss in his report. General Schoepf reports four killed and eighteen wounded, while Colonel Coburn reports twenty-six wounded from his and Walford's regiments.

Companies A and E, of McNairy's Battalion went back a short distance in the direction of London, crossed over to the Richmond road, and thence around to the east of Wildcat, to keep a sharp lookout for any flank movement that the enemy might be making in that direction. Making no discovery, however, we returned to the wagon train, about half-way between London and Wildcat, a little after dark.

_______________

¹ Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 209.

² Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 212.

³ Not found.

⁴ Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 213.

⁵ Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 210.

⁶ Since writing the above I have learned (from Military Annals of Tennessee, p. 293) that Rains lost “one killed and six or eight wounded."

⁷ On an eminence east of the Federal encampment.

⁸ Three, one mortally, so General Schoepf reports. See Rebellion Records Vol. IV., p. 207.

⁹ Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 208.

¹⁰ Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 319.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 59-65

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Sunday, October 27, 1861

Lieutenant George Alexander, Dr. J. S. Harrison (afterward Lieutenant) and R. Davenport rejoined Allison's company. They had been home on a visit.

Our battalion moved about three miles and encamped at Flat Lick, within eight miles of Camp Buckner, at Cumberland Ford, where we remained for several days.

As Cumberland Gap was naturally a strong position, and as the three Log Mountains between Camp Buckner and the Gap would soon be almost impassable, General Zollicoffer therefore believed that the Federals would attempt to enter East Tennessee at some point west of the Gap, and for this reason he decided to abandon his position at Camp Buckner. I shall now let our General explain his contemplated movement as follows:

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS,

CAMP BUCKNER, CUMBERLAND FORD, October 29, 1861.

Lieutenant-Colonel Mackall, Assistant Adjutant-General, Bowling Green, Kentucky:

Sir: My pickets at Laurel Ridge yesterday drove back a small cavalry picket of the enemy and took three prisoners, who represented that a portion of the enemy's force has advanced to London. Their force at and on this side of Rockcastle River (Wildcat) is reported at nine thousand.

There are three main roads by which, if an invasion of East Tennessee is contemplated, an enemy might approach. On this, by Cumberland Gap, we have heretofore concentrated nearly our whole force, and we now have seven guns in position at Cumberland Gap. The most westernly road is by Monticello, in Kentucky, and Jamestown, in Tennessee. The counties of Fentress, Scott, Morgan, and Anderson are poor, mountainous, and disaffected. Should a force select that route of invasion, I could meet them at the mountain passes near Clinton, and between Kingston and Morgan Court-house, and keep them on that broad, sterile region until it would be practicable for General Buckner to throw a force in their rear and cut them off.

In view of this danger they may select the middle route, by Williamsburg, Ky., and Jacksborough, Tenn. The road over the Log Mountains will soon become almost impassable between here and Cumberland Gap. The Gap is a much stronger position than this. While I am watching the road from here to Laurel River, the enemy might be advancing on the Jacksborough or the Jamestown road without my knowledge. For these reasons I send four cavalry companies to scout on the roads from the neighborhood of Jacksborough into Kentucky, and I have ordered one infantry regiment to Jacksborough, one six miles east to Big Creek Gap, two about half-way between Jacksborough and Cumberland Gap, while four will remain at present at Cumberland Gap. I leave six cavalry companies to observe this road. One cavalry company is posted on the road from William[s]burg, Ky., to Huntsville, Tenn., and six cavalry companies, McClellan's Battalion, and I suppose Colonel Murray's Regiment of infantry, are in the neighborhood of Jamestown.¹

It is currently reported that an invading force from twenty thousand to thirty thousand is on the road from Cincinnati to East Tennessee, but I have no means of knowing any thing of the accuracy of the rumor.²

Except cavalry scouts, my force will be withdrawn from this post to-morrow. Acting upon my best judgment, I have supposed the disposition of my forces I have described the very best under the circumstances. Had I a military engineer in whose judgment I could rely, to reconnoiter the mountain roads, gaps and passes from Cumberland Gap to Jamestown I would feel much more capable of making a judicious disposition of troops.

I have had rumors that reinforcements of Confederate troops were to be thrown upon this part of the border, but as I have no official information I take it for granted the rumors are erroneous.

Very respectfully,

F. K. ZOLLICOFFER,

Brigadier-General.³

_______________

¹ Colonels Murray and Stanton had, according to orders from A. S. Johrston, broken up a Federal camp at Burkesville, Ky., and on the same day that Zollicoffer wrote the above they were at Albany, Ky., on their way back to Overton County, Tenn. Captain Bledsoe's company was at Camp McGinnis between Jamestown, Tenn., and Albany, Ky.

² It appears that General Geo. H. Thomas, who commanded the Second Division of Sherman's army, and was now in front of Zollicoffer, had, subject to his orders, twenty-nine regiments and three batteries of artillery, though some of the regiments were not fully organized and equipped at this time. See Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., pp. 334, 315.

³ Brigadier-General L. P. Walker had been (October 22d) ordered by General A. S. Johnston to move his brigade from Huntsville, Ala., via Knoxville, to the support of Zollicoffer, and General W. H. Carroll, at Memphis, had been (October 26th) ordered by Secretary of War to join Zollicoffer with three regiments, but neither one of them could obey the order, because their men were not armed. See Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., pp. 470, 476, 486.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 67-9

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Wednesday, October 30, 1861

L. V. Kennedy and Dr. Monroe Knight, having received an honorable discharge from the service on account of ill health, started home. We regretted very much to lose from our company (Allison's) two such good soldiers. They were always ready and willing to do duty when called upon, so far as able, and besides they were strictly gentlemen.

A part of the infantry moved from Camp Buckner to Cumberland Gap, yesterday, and Zollicoffer followed with the rest to-day.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 70

Samuel Cooper to Brigadier-General William H. Carroll, October 26, 1861

RICHMOND, October 26, 1861.

Brig. Gen. W. H. CARROLL:

GENERAL: The Secretary of War directs that with the throe regiments recently organized by you in East Tennessee you proceed with all possible dispatch, via Cumberland Gap, to join Brigadier-General Zollicoffer, now at London, Laurel County, Kentucky. The regiments referred to are now known as the First, Second, and Third East Tennessee Rifles, but will be known to the Department as the Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Tennessee Provisional Regiments.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. COOPER,        

Adjutant and Inspector General.

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. 476

Lieutenant-Colonel William W. Mackall to Brigadier-General Leroy P. Walker, October 22, 1861

HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT,

Bowling Green, Ky., October, 22, 1861.

Brig. Gen. L. P. WALKER, Huntsville, Ala.:

GENERAL: By General Johnston I am instructed to inform you that the enemy are advancing on General Zollicoffer. Two regiments were within 12 and 15 miles of his position at London, Ky., yesterday. From other sources he is led to believe that this advance is in force, and for the purpose of dividing us from the east by an attack through Cumberland Gap.

Nothing more need be presented to show you the necessity of the immediate employment of every man for the defense of the line, and to explain to you the propriety of sending your command to Knoxville instead of drawing it to this place, as was the wish and intention of the general.

He now directs you to send forward your command, now armed and organized, to Knoxville, as fast as possible, and have the detachments reported to General Zollicoffer as fast as they arrive at that point.

You will remain in charge of the organization of the remainder of your forces and superintendence of their movements or proceed with the advance of your command, as the interests of the force prepared and unprepared may require.

The general has seen your requisition for clothing, made on Quartermaster Stevenson. He regrets he could not have it filled. Only half the number of blankets called for by you are in store, subject to his order, for the whole of the command. A large stock on which his quartermaster counted has been diverted by the Government. He now, having shown you his deficiency in this article (and in all others the deficiency is great), begs you to limit your call to the most absolute wants of your men. He has himself, when similarly situated, found the advantage of requiring the captains when the men asked for clothing to examine into their condition, and compare that condition with the state of clothing in the company, and supply those most in want.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. W. MACKALL,        

Assistant Adjutant-General.

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. 470-1

Brigadier-General Felix K. Zollicoffer to Lieutenant-Colonel William W. Mackall, October 29, 1861

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS,

Camp Buckner (Cumberland Ford), October 29, 1861.

Lieutenant-Colonel MACKALL,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Bowling Green, Ky.:

SIR: My pickets at Laurel Bridge yesterday drove back a small cavalry picket of the enemy and took 3 prisoners, who represent that portion of the enemy's force has advanced to London. Their force at and on this side of the Rockcastle River is reported at 9,000. There are three main roads by which, if an invasion of East Tennessee is contemplated, an enemy might approach. On this, by Cumberland Gap, we have heretofore concentrated nearly our whole force, and we now have seven guns in position at Cumberland Gap. The most westerly road is by Monticello, in Kentucky, and Jamestown, in Tennessee. The counties of Fentress, Scott, Morgan, and Anderson are poor, mountainous, and disaffected. Should a force select that route of invasion I could meet them at the mountain passes near Clinton and between Kingston and Morgan Court-House, and keep them on that broad, sterile region until it would be practicable for General Buckner to throw a force in their rear and cut them off.

In view of this danger they may select the middle route, by Williamsburg and Jacksborough. The road over the Log Mountains will soon become almost impassable between here and the Cumberland Gap. The Gap is a much stronger position than this. While I am watching the road from here to Laurel River, the enemy might be advancing on the Jacksborough or the Jamestown road without my knowledge. For these reasons I send four cavalry companies to scout on the roads from the neighborhood of Jacksborough into Kentucky, and I have ordered one infantry regiment to Jacksborough, one 6 miles east to Big Creek Gap, two about half way between Jacksborough and Cumberland Gap, while four will remain at present at Cumberland Gap. I leave six cavalry companies to observe this road. One cavalry company is posted on the road from Williamsburg, Ky., to Huntsville, Tenn., and six cavalry companies (I suppose) Colonel Murray's regiment of infantry are in the neighborhood of Jamestown.

It is currently reported that an invading force, from 20,000 to 30,000, is on the road, from Cincinnati to East Tennessee, but I have no means of knowing anything of the accuracy of the rumor. Except cavalry Scouts, my force will be withdrawn from this post to-morrow. Acting upon my best judgment, I have supposed the disposition of my roes I have described the very best under the circumstances. Had I a military engineer, in whose judgment I could rely, to reconnoiter the mountain roads, gaps, and passes from Cumberland Gap to Jamestown, I would feel much more capable of making a judicious disposition of troops. I have had rumors that re-enforcements of Confederate troops were to be thrown upon this part of the border, but as I have no official information, I take it for granted the rumors are erroneous.

Very respectfully,

F. K. ZOLLICOFFER,        

Brigadier-General

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. 486-7

Brigadier-General Felix K. Zollicoffer to Colonel John P. Murray, October 28, 1861

CAMP BUCKNER, KY., October 28, 1861.

Col. JOHN P. MURRAY, Near Albany, Ky.:

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.

Very respectfully,

F. K. ZOLLICOFFER,        

[Brigadier-General.]

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. 483

Lieutenant-Colonel William W. Mackall to Brigadier-General Felix K. Zollicoffer, October 21, 1861

BOWLING GREEN, October 21, 1861.

General ZOLLICOFFER:

GENERAL: Your telegram from London received. The information we have of the enemy in your front is this: 10,000 at Camp Dick Robinson; of these 4,000 are in advance towards Cumberland Gap, but how far is not known; it is commanded by Garrard; and 10,000 dotted from Robinson to Cincinnati. General Polk ordered 2 howitzers, 1 Parrott, and 3 iron guns to be shipped for you to Knoxville October 15. A company to man this battery will be sent in a few days.

W. W. MACKALL,        

Assistant Adjutant-General.

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. 212

General Albert Sidney Johnston to Samuel Cooper, October 21, 1861

BOWLING GREEN, October 21, 1861.

General Zollicoffer telegraphs to-day from London, Ky., as follows:

One Ohio regiment said to be 12 miles distant; another regiment of the enemy a few miles beyond. I will feel of them to-day with two regiments and some cavalry. My force here is about 5,400.

The above is the dispatch. From intelligent gentlemen I learned the day before yesterday that 6,000 men at Camp Dick Robinson had an advanced force of 4,000 towards Cumberland Gap under Garrard and from the camp stretching back to Cincinnati 10,000 more. I have no means of adding to Zollicoffer's force at present, important as I think it.

A. S. JOHNSTON,        

General.

S. COOPER,
        Adjutant-General.

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. 209