Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 254. — Report of Brig. Gen. James R. Chalmers, C. S. Army, commanding Cavalry Division, of operations November 17-December 27, 1864.

No. 254.

Report of Brig. Gen. James R. Chalmers, C. S. Army, commanding Cavalry Division,

of operations November 17-December 27, 1864.¹

MAJOR: Your order directing me to forward a report of the operations of this division in the recent campaign in Middle Tennessee has been received and shall be complied with as well as it is possible for me to do in the absence of reports from subordinate commanders, which have not yet come in.

On the 17th of November we crossed the Tennessee River at Florence and remained on Shoal Creek until the 21st of November, during which time we had several skirmishes with the enemy, and a part of our wagon train was taken by them, but was afterward recaptured and about forty of the enemy made prisoners. On the morning of the 21st the forward movement of the army commenced, my division taking the road by West Point, Kelly's Forge, and Henryville to Mount Pleasant and Columbia. On the 23d instant Rucker's brigade met Capron's brigade of the enemy's cavalry near Henryville and captured forty-five prisoners. After retreating for about five miles the enemy made a stand and a sharp skirmish ensued, but Major-General Forrest, having got in their rear with his escort, charged them so vigorously that they fell back, leaving about twenty additional prisoners in our hands. Our loss in this affair was slight.

On the morning of the 24th Colonel Rucker pursued the enemy to within seven miles of Columbia, when he again encountered and routed them, following them into the edge of the town, capturing about thirty prisoners. I regret to say that in this pursuit Lieutenant-Colonel Dawson, commanding Fifteenth Tennessee Cavalry, was killed while gallantly leading his regiment in a charge. He had discharged all the loads from his revolver and was endeavoring to wrest one of the enemy's flags from its bearer when he was shot.

During the afternoon of the 24th and on the three following days (25th, 26th, and 27th) we skirmished heavily with the enemy in front of Columbia, driving them from their temporary fortifications into their regular works and obtaining possession of a valuable flouring mill within less than three miles of the town.

On the 28th Columbia was evacuated by the enemy, who took a strong position on the north side of Duck River, covering the crossing at the town. This division was moved seven miles up the river, where we forded it, and after riding for the remainder of the day and the greater part of the following night, we struck the enemy on the morning of the 29th near Hurt's Cross-Roads. Here we were joined by Generals Buford's and Jackson's divisions of cavalry, and after driving the enemy's cavalry for some distance in the direction of Franklin we turned toward Spring Hill, where we met the head of the enemy's infantry column about 11 a.m., and held it in check until about 4 p.m., when Cleburne's division, of Cheatham's corps, came to our assistance. The cavalry alone had driven the advance line of the enemy for more than a mile across open fields, and with the assistance of Cleburne's division, which formed on our left, drove them from some temporary breastworks which had been erected about two miles from Spring Hill on the Davis Ferry road. It was then dark, and Stewart and Cheatham's corps of infantry having come up, this division was relieved.

During the night I was ordered to move south of Spring Hill across to the Carter's Creek pike to intercept a column of the enemy which was supposed to be cut off between Spring Hill and Columbia, and hold them in check, or if they had passed, to pursue them rapidly. When I crossed the Columbia pike I learned, to my great astonishment, that the enemy's whole column had passed up that pike, and within a very short distance of our infantry lines, during the night, and on reaching the Carter's Creek pike I found that no enemy had passed along it. I followed the latter pike to Franklin and saw nothing of the enemy until I arrived within two miles of that place, when I found them drawn up in two lines of battle behind a double line of intrenchments before it. I was joined here by Col. J. B. Biffle with a part of Colonel Dibrell's brigade of cavalry, which had been ordered to report to me. The infantry having come up, this division was formed on the extreme left of the line, and at 4.30 p.m. the whole line advanced, driving in the enemy's skirmishers easily, and this division drove back double its number of the enemy, who were strongly posted behind a stone wall, and pushed them back rapidly for one mile until they reached their permanent fortifications at Franklin. My line was pressed forward until the skirmishers were within sixty yards of the fortifications, but my force was too small to justify an attempt to storm them, and I could only hold my position, which we did during the night and until an early hour in the morning, when the skirmish line was pushed forward and was the first to enter the town, capturing some 20 prisoners. Our loss up to this time, 116 killed and wounded.

On the 1st of December we moved across to the Hillsborough pike, fording Harpeth River below Franklin, and up that road to a point opposite to Brentwood, where we crossed over to the Franklin pike, expecting to be able to intercept a part of the enemy's force on their retreat from Franklin; but finding that they had passed, we moved up the pike to within four miles of Nashville, where we encamped for the night. On the 2d Colonel Biffle's brigade was sent to cover the Hardin and Hillsborough pikes on the left of the infantry, and on the 3d Rucker's brigade was moved in the same direction, so that my division covered the Hillsborough, Hardin, and Charlotte pikes. On the same day Lieutenant-Colonel Kelley was sent with a detachment of 300 men and two pieces of artillery to blockade the Cumberland River at a point twelve miles below Nashville, and on the same day he captured two transports going down the river laden with horses and mules belonging to the United States Government. Some of the enemy's gun-boats coming down to the rescue recaptured the transports and a part of the freight, which had been removed from them to the shore, but Colonel Kelley succeeded in securing and bringing off 56 prisoners and 197 horses and mules.

On the 5th our line remained unchanged, and we had some slight skirmishing with the enemy. On the 6th, an infantry force having been sent to relieve Colonel Rucker on the Hillsborough pike, his whole brigade, with two additional pieces of artillery, was moved to the Charlotte pike and the blockade of the Cumberland was effected. On the 7th a monitor appeared in front of our batteries and attempted to force the passage of the river, but was badly damaged and driven back, and on several subsequent occasions fleets of gun-boats repeated the attempt without success. All remained unchanged until the 12th, when Biffle's brigade was ordered by General Hood to the right wing of the army, leaving me with Rucker's brigade alone. I wrote to General Hood, showing the strength of my command and the length of the line which I was expected to hold, and that it would be impossible for me to maintain my position if attacked unless supported. On the 14th Ector's brigade of infantry was sent to relieve my force on the Hardin pike, and my line then extended from the left of that pike across the Charlotte pike to the river, a distance of about four miles, to defend which and to support the batteries on the river I had a force of 900 aggregate present, the Seventh Alabama Cavalry being between Ector's brigade and the left of the main line of infantry.

On the morning of the 15th the enemy made a general attack along the whole line, and Ector's brigade, being forced back by the force in front of it, swung around to rejoin the infantry on its right without giving me any notice of their movement. The Hardin pike being thus left open the enemy moved down it, and the first intelligence I had of their presence on that pike they were already two miles in my rear on it. The wagons of my headquarters and division ordnance train had for greater security been left on the Hardin pike in rear of the infantry, and the commanding officer of the infantry having failed to give any notice of the approach of the enemy or of his intended movement, they were overtaken and captured before they could be removed. The attack on Rucker's brigade commenced in the morning by the gunboats on the river, which were repulsed, and was followed by an attack in front along the Charlotte pike by Johnson's division of cavalry, supported by a force of infantry. We held our position until I learned that the enemy were two miles in our rear on the Hardin pike, when we fell back two miles to a cross-road leading from that pike, where we remained until night, when I ordered Colonel Rucker to move across to the Hillsborough pike, leaving the Seventh Alabama Cavalry to hold the position on the Charlotte pike until daylight, which was done. I had attempted several times during the day to communicate with General Hood, but my couriers were either killed or captured and failed to reach him. Before daylight on the morning of the 16th I received an order from him to put myself in communication with his left wing and to hold the Hillsborough pike, which order I had already given. Before daylight I had taken position on that pike, with Rucker's brigade at the point where the road leading from Brentwood intersects it, and was soon engaged in skirmishing with the enemy. The force opposed to me was Hatch's division of cavalry, and their object was evidently to move down the cross-road to Brentwood, which would have placed them entirely in rear of our army, and put them in possession of the road by which it afterward retreated. Finding some hindrance in their way on this line of march, a brigade was sent rapidly across to the Granny White pike to move down it. I moved across the latter pike with my escort and Twenty-sixth (Forrest's) Regiment of Cavalry, and placing them in a strong position, held the enemy in check for more than three hours and saved Cheatham's ambulances. In the meantime Johnson's division of the enemy's cavalry had moved across from the Charlotte pike, following our path, and attacked Colonel Rucker in the flank, while the remainder of Hatch's division engaged him in front. Colonel Kelley having been forced back from his position, Colonel Rucker was withdrawn from the Hillsborough pike as soon as possible to support him, and the whole brigade (excepting the Seventh Tennessee Cavalry) was formed in front of Brentwood, to protect the wagons and ambulances which were collected there. The Seventh Tennessee was sent down the Hillsborough pike (by General Hood's order) to report at Franklin and aid in guarding the wagon trains at that place. About 4.30 p.m. I received an order from General Hood directing me to "hold the Granny White pike at all hazards," and Rucker's brigade was moved back upon it and placed in position in rear of that from which Colonel Kelley had been driven. It was attacked at once, front and flank, by Hatch's and Johnson's divisions, and, after a sharp struggle, was forced back in some disorder. By this time it was so dark that it was impossible to reform the men, or indeed to distinguish friend from foe, so closely were they mingled together, but an irregular firing was kept up for some time until we were compelled to retreat toward the Franklin pike. After we had retreated for some distance, Colonel Rucker having been wounded and captured and Lieutenant-Colonel Kelley having moved with his regiment to Brentwood, [Lieut. Col.] R. R. White, Fourteenth Tennessee Cavalry, the senior officer present, collected and reformed as many of the men as possible, and leaving the Fourteenth Tennessee on picket in front of the enemy, moved with the remainder to the Franklin pike, where they were halted until the infantry and artillery column had passed, and encamped for the night with the rear guard of the army, when we were joined by Colonel Biffle and his brigade, which had come up from the right in rear of the infantry. The enemy's cavalry encamped on the field where we had last fought them, and made no attempt to follow us, though our picket fires were within sight of them during the night.

In the engagements of these two days this division lost many valuable officers and men, the first of whom was Colonel Rucker, who was wounded and captured in the last fight while fighting hand to hand with the enemy. Many others were killed or captured at the same time, and others availed themselves of the opportunity desert and scatter through the country; some of these have now returned to their commands, but no accurate report can yet be made of our loss.

On the morning of the 17th we moved to Franklin, when, in obedience to orders from General Hood, I was placed in command of the cavalry, and reported to Lieutenant-General Lee for duty in assisting to protect the rear of the army, consisting of this and General Buford's division. During the day we were almost constantly engaged with the enemy, who followed us vigorously with a strong force, often in close encounters, and held them in check until nearly night-fall, when by a series of bold charges they broke the lines of our infantry and cavalry, but were severely punished and driven back by the second line of infantry. On the 18th, Brigadier-General Armstrong having come up with his brigade, and General Cheatham's corps having taken the place of General Lee's as the rear guard of the army, we moved down the turnpike from Spring Hill toward Columbia and crossed Rutherford's Creek, the infantry being on the pike and the cavalry in the rear and On the flanks. The enemy did not press us, and we had no fighting beyond a little skirmishing. On the 19th, Major-General Forrest having come up, I resumed command of my division, which was posted on the left of Cheatham's corps to guard the crossings on Rutherford's Creek. During the day we had some skirmishing with the enemy, but held our position until 4 p.m., when, they having succeeded in crossing a force in front of our infantry pickets, our whole force was withdrawn to the south side of Duck River. On the 22d, the enemy having effected a crossing of Duck River, and the rear guard, under Major-General Forrest, having commenced its retreat, this division (which had been consolidated into a brigade) moved down the Campbellsville pike, on the left flank of the infantry, and on the following day moved still farther down that pike without molestation from the enemy. On the 24th we moved back toward Columbia, so as to occupy a position on the left flank of our infantry, which had moved back as far as Lynnville. While here we were attacked by a superior force of the enemy and forced back to the main body on the turnpike, when we crossed Richland Creek and moved on to Pulaski.  After this we moved on the right flank of the infantry, until we reached the Tennessee River, which we crossed on the evening of the 27th, without having been again engaged with the enemy.

During the engagements on the march to Nashville, and until after the fight on the Granny White pike on the evening of the 16th of December, the officers and men of this division behaved with great gallantry; but after that time, while there were many who continued to exhibit the same courage and constancy, I regret to say that there were some who so far forgot their duty as to desert their comrades and seek an ignominious safety in flight; some of these have since returned to their colors, but others are still absent.

Under these circumstances It gives me great pleasure to render deserved honor to all those who remained faithful to their duty. The Seventh Alabama Cavalry having, when it was ordered to this division, rested under some imputation of a lack of courage, I am gratified to say that since it has been under my command, and especially in the engagements of the 15th and 16th, that regiment * * *

ADDENDA.

Casualties in Rucker's brigade from November 25 to December 6, 1864.

Regiment.	Killed.		Wounded.		Missing.		Aggregate.
	Officers.	Men.	Officers.	Men.	Officers.	Men.
7th Alabama	....	2	6	30	....	....	....
5th Mississippi	....	2	....	8	....	....	....
7th Tennessee	....	1	3	9	....	....	....
12th Tennessee	....	....	....	1	....	....	....
14th Tennessee	....	2	2	15	....	....	....
15th Tennessee	2	3	....	10	....	....	....
Forrest's Regiment Tennessee Cavalry	1	3	2	14	....	....	....
Total	3	13	13	87	....	....	116

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¹ Original, incomplete and unsigned, found among General Chalmer’s military papers.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), p. 763-7

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Thursday, January 2, 1862

Colonel McNairy started home on a furlough on account of ill health, leaving Captain Allison in command of the battalion.

Allison received orders to cross the river and report to Zollicoffer's headquarters as soon as his men could cook three days' rations. We did not have three days’ rations, but we cooked what we had, went to the river and commenced crossing, when, on learning that we did not have the requisite amount of rations, Zollicoffer ordered Allison to go back to camps and cook the rations, which he ordered the brigade commissary to furnish. As soon as we had cooked our rations Allison crossed the river and reported to our General that the First Battalion was ready to move. Our Captain soon after returned and reported that the order to cross the river was countermanded.

Mr. Andy Bogle, from Cannon County, Tennessee, came in a carriage after Clabe Francis, a member of Allison's Company, who was sick.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 105

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Wednesday, January 8, 1862

Two companies of Brazelton's Battalion, fifty men from McNairy's, and about five companies of infantry went about ten miles up the south side of the river to guard and load a forage train. While the wagons were being loaded our infantry exchanged a few shots with some Federals who were on the opposite bank of the river, without any damage on our side.

All returned to camp a little after dark with thirty-four wagons loaded with corn and oats.

W. C. Hancock, brother to the writer, and four others from Company E started home on “sick furlough.”

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 107

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Tuesday, January 14, 1862

Forty-seven of our battalion went sixteen miles down the south bank of the river to guard some wagons that were hauling forage to the river to be brought up by our steamboat, the Noble Ellis. It was a cold day; the ground was nearly covered with snow, but at night it turned warmer and rained. We, and also our horses, had shelter.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 107-8

Acting Brigadier-General Jeremiah T. Boyle to Brigadier-General George H. Thomas, January 7, 1862

HEADQUARTERS ELEVENTH BRIGADE,        

Columbia, Ky., January 7, 1862.

General THOMAS:

SIR: A rebel steamboat passed Burkesville yesterday at 12 o'clock, loaded with men and cannon and other arms, clothing, &c.

I send 300 cavalry to heights on this side to intercept it, if possible. I will move with 300 of Third Kentucky and the Nineteenth Ohio to an advantageous position at the mouth of Renick's Creek, 2½ miles above Burkesville, on the Cumberland. I shall move the whole force here to Burkesville. It is only 4 miles farther from Glasgow than Columbia. I am not willing to see the Cumberland surrendered, without a struggle, to Zollicoffer and the rebel invaders. If this movement is wrong, it can be censured. I know it will be right if we whip the scoundrels and wrong if otherwise. More boats are expected up. If we delay much longer the enemy will have time to bring his re-enforcements from Texas and Louisiana.

We have no cannon, and must rely on our rifles to take off the men from the boats. With one piece of artillery the boats could be torn to atoms or sunk.

Can you not send me a section of a battery? I have ordered your commissary to supply rations to the troops about to move.

Respectfully, &c.,

J. T. BOYLE,        

Acting Brigadier-General.

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. 535-6

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General John Boyle to Brigadier-General George H. Thomas, December 12, 1861

HDQRS. ELEVENTH BRIGADE, U.S. VOLUNTEERS,        

Columbia, Ky., December 12, 1861.

Brigadier-General THOMAS,

        Commanding First Division:

GENERAL: General Boyle directs me to say your dispatch and order of 11th instant is just received and acted upon. A force is detailed to commence the work immediately.

The general further directs me to say that reliable information, obtained from various sources, reports the enemy's cavalry, 500 strong, on this side the Cumberland River, at Creelsborough and Rowena. They have seized many citizens and one sick soldier of Colonel Wolford's command.

On receipt of the news last night the general ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Letcher, with a portion of Colonel Wolford's cavalry remaining here and a portion of Haggard's regiment, to march to Creelsborough and Rowena. Colonel Wolford, who had advanced to Williams', according to your orders, was sent down to co-operate with Letcher, and Colonel Haggard, who was conveying a large party of Tennesseeans from Burkesville to this place, was also ordered in that direction.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN BOYLE,        

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

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. 494

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Sunday, December 1, 1861

Just before sunrise the enemy opened fire on us from the opposite side of the river. As we did not wish to have lead mixed with our breakfast (fearing it would not digest well), we moved back about seven miles from the river and took breakfast without the lead. McNairy, having collected his men together, returned to camps, which he found four miles from Albany, on the Monticello road, and within fourteen miles of the latter place. Camps had been moved about nine miles.

General Zollicoffer, with a small detachment of Infantry and cavalry, proceeded to reconnoiter from the south bank Colonel Haskin's camp, nine miles above Mill Springs, on the North bank of the river. Many of the enemy's tents were in full view, and they came out and fired on our men with small arms and one twelve-pounder howitzer. Our men returned the fire, but the distance was too great for small arms to be of material service.¹ Our General returned to his headquarters at Mr. West's.

General Albin Schoepf, having pressed on in advance of his brigade, arrived at Colonel Haskins' camp on the above date.²

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¹ Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 10.

² Ibid., p. 7.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 88

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Wednesday, December 4, 1861

General Zollicoffer threw over the first small cavalry picket at Mill Springs.

Colonel J. M. Connell set out from Somerset early that morning with his regiment, Seventeenth Ohio, three pieces of artillery and a company of cavalry, with instructions to move to the river and plant his artillery so as to command the ferry at Mill Springs, in order to prevent Zollicoffer's crossing at that point. Leaving his main force some two and a half miles from the river, Colonel Connell went forward with Captain Ricketts and Lieutenant Fife, of the artillery, to make a personal reconnoissance. On meeting our cavalry before reaching the river at Mill Springs, they (our men.) opened fire and gave chase, and the Colonel very narrowly escaped capture.

I take the following from Connell's official report:

In turning a sharp angle my saddle turned, girth broke, and I was thrown within one hundred yards of them, and but for the noble conduct and cool bravery of Captain Ricketts I would have been killed or captured. He got off his horse and waited until I ran up to him and gave me his horse, while he escaped into the woods.¹

Our men got the Colonel's saddle, one pistol, and some other equipments. Connell moved his force back to a position behind Fishing Creek, some twelve miles from Mill Springs, thus leaving the way open for Zollicoffer to cross.

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¹ Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 475.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 89-90

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Thursday, December 5, 1861

Our commander commenced throwing his main force to the north side of the river. His cavalry pickets captured, six miles north of the river, after a chase of more than a mile, Major F. W. Helveti, of the First Kentucky Cavalry (Wolford), Captain Prime, of New York, engineer officer of General Buell's staff, and a corporal, W. F. Hudson, of Colonel Haskin's Kentucky Regiment. The Major and Captain were severely wounded, the former in the arm and the latter in the leg. They, all three, were sent back to Mr. West's and placed in the care of Captain Allison. So we guarded them for about nine days.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 90

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Friday, December 6, 1861

As Zollicoffer had by that afternoon thrown a good portion of his command to the north side of the river, he moved his headquarters from Mr. West's to Mill Springs.

General Shoepf became so alarmed at the movements of Zollicoffer on yesterday, that he fell back with his entire company last night to a position three miles north of Somerset.¹

Fishing Creek runs south into the Cumberland five miles above Mill Springs, and lies between that place and Somerset. One road to the latter place crossed

Fishing Creek seven miles from Mill Springs, and the other eleven. The enemy had thrown up fortifications at the more distant crossing.

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¹ Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 476.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 90-1

Brigadier-General Felix K. Zollicoffer to Lieutenant Colonel William W. Mackall, December 2, 1861

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS,

Mill Springs, Ky., December 2, 1861.

SIR: Yesterday, with a small detachment of infantry and cavalry, I proceeded to reconnoiter from the left bank a camp of the enemy, 9 miles above, on the right bank of the river. Many of their tents were in full view, and they came out and fired on us with small-arms and one 12-pounder howitzer. We returned the fire, but the distance was too great for our guns to be of material service. To-day I took up four pieces of artillery and soon shelled them out of their encampment, causing them to strike tents precipitately and retire out of sight. I doubt whether they have more than one regiment there.

Captain Sheliha, with a scouting party, has examined Creelsborough and Burkesville, lower down the river, and reports three regiments of the enemy at the former and a small force at the latter, both on the right bank.

One of our picket parties reports a small force also at Rowena, on the same side of the river.

The river is now very high. I am now building transports to enable me to cross, but I fear there will be several days' delay.

Very respectfully,

F. K. ZOLLICOFFER,        

Brigadier-General: Commanding.

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

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. 10

Brigadier-General Albin F. Schoepf to Brigadier General George H. Thomas, December 2, 1861

CAMP GOGGIN, December 2, 1861.

GENERAL: I arrived here yesterday, reconnoitered same day and today. This morning the enemy opened fire from three pieces, one rifled, and infantry on Colonel Haskins' camp subsequent to my order for the removal of the camp some distance back.

The strength of the enemy is estimated, by the best accounts we can get, of the following distant from Mill Springs 2 miles, 1,000 infantry; at Steubenville, 2 miles distant from West's, 2,000 infantry; and at Monticello, 5 miles from Steubenville, 3,000 infantry. Mill Springs is distant from this point 12 miles, at which place they can cross the Cumberland with facility, and 2 miles below that point they can also cross.

Apprehending the probability of their crossing at Mill Springs, I detailed two companies of cavalry to that place. I deem the position east of me safe, but west of me they may cross.

The river is high and not fordable, but by means of flats they can cross anywhere; the troops under my command are not sufficient to keep the river guarded as far as Mill Springs. Should they cross in the vicinity of my camp I can defend my position. The Thirty-eighth Ohio will be with me to-day. The Seventeenth will occupy a position on Fishing Creek, to defend against a flank movement should the enemy cross.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. SCHOEPF,    

Brigadier-General.

General GEORGE H. THOMAS,
        Commanding Eastern Division.

P. S.—The enemy have moved their artillery and opened fire again. I have hardly time to write.

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. 7

Brigadier-General Albin F. Schoepf to Brigadier-General George H. Thomas, December 6, 1861

HEADQUARTERS, Somerset, December 6, 1861.

Brig. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS,
        Commanding Eastern Division:

GENERAL: The enemy have crossed the Cumberland, as near as I can learn, with four regiments of infantry, two regiments of cavalry, and eight pieces of artillery. As there was no position near the river that could have been held by the small force under me (not 1,900), I deemed it my duty to move back about 3 miles beyond Somerset to a very fine position, that commands the Crab Orchard road and also the road to Stanford, where I now am, and shall await my re-enforcements, and will then move forward.

The position at Fishing Creek was untenable, on account of three roads flanking us, all leading to the different ferries, which rendered it impossible for me to distribute my few men with any hope of success.

The movement of last night was not known to the enemy until this morning.

The enemy had 3,000 encamped about 3 miles west of us, and, as I learned from scouts, they were still crossing and moving down the river banks, where they drove in our pickets and took possession of the ferries at Hudson's and also the one at Patterson's, both of which have roads leading to the main road, about one mile in my rear, which has no place for artillery to operate effectively.

I could have held a position where the enemy is encamped, had it not been for the unpardonable disobedience of Captain Dillion to occupy the point opposite Mill Springs, when I positively ordered him to do so. I have ordered him to report himself to me, when I shall order him in arrest and send him to Lebanon, hoping that something may be done to prevent such flagrant disobedience in the future.

Our pickets were firing until late in the night, but without any damage to us, our men reporting to have killed a few of the enemy.

Day before yesterday a messenger from you reported to me that he had lost the dispatch you sent by him, and yesterday a gentleman found one on the road, directed to me, containing invoices from the quartermaster, which was also sent by a messenger. The messenger I sent you day before yesterday has also lost my dispatch to you. All of these men belong to Wolford's cavalry.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. SCHOEPF,   

Brigadier-General.

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. 476

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Wednesday, November 27, 1861

Our battalion marched (about fourteen miles) from Camp McGinnis to within five miles of Albany, the county seat of Clinton County, Kentucky.

From his headquarters, thirteen miles west of Monticello, Zollicoffer wrote, under the above date, to General S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector-General, Richmond, Virginia, thus:

Two regiments cross the river to-day at Mill Springs to endeavor to cut off eight hundred of the enemy at Waitsborough, nine miles above. A mail from Columbia to Monticello has been captured, by which we learn that there are two battalions of cavalry and two regiments of infantry at Columbia.

They had heard of my advance and heard my force was nine thousand. This they doubt, but think if it is true they will have to retreat for want of numbers. I learn that General Thomas is at Crab Orchard, but have no reliable intelligence of forces other than those at Columbia and Waitsborough.

I have sent detachments of cavalry to examine the ferries at Burkesville, and Creelsborough, seventeen miles above Burkesville, also to get more particular information of the ferries and roads crossing at Dorothea Landing and Horse-Shoe Bottom. It is now certain there is no enemy this side of the Cumberland.*

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* Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 706.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 85

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Friday, November 8, 1861

In the saddle early that morning, our battalion arrived at Jacksborough late in the afternoon (about twenty-two miles). Zollicoffer had left orders here for McNairy to follow the brigade by a forced march in the direction of Clinton. After allowing his men to halt long enough to feed their horses and take supper, McNairy pressed on thirteen miles further and bivouacked for the rest of the night.¹ Here he was met by a messenger, with orders for him to halt.

Nelson and Bob Smith were sick of the measles at Jacksborough and discharged at Clinton.

The rest of the brigade had also halted, and I shall now endeavor to explain why.

The First Kentucky Infantry, under Colonel Bramlette, and the Fourth, under Colonel Haskins, and Wolford's Cavalry were at that time encamped at or near “Camp Goggin," on the north bank of the Cumberland, some nine miles above Mill Springs and twenty from Monticello, Kentucky.² On the 3d, Colonel Wolford set out from the above named camp with four hundred of his regiment and one piece of artillery on a reconnoitering expedition in the direction of Monticello, and, if necessary, he was to send a messenger back and Colonels Bramlette and Haskins were to follow with all their available force—1,200. Colonel Wolford went as far as Monticello, and, finding no “Rebs” there, he returned to Camp Goggin.

It appears that Madam Rumor had swelled Wolford's four hundred to 6,000 before she delivered her “entirely reliable” report to Lieutenant-Colonel McClellan, for on the next day, the 4th, he wrote the dispatch which has been previously given, under the 7th instant. On the 5th, he moved his battalion down to Camp McGinnis, and sent some of his men out toward Monticello to meet the enemy. They went as far as Monticello, and sent a messenger back, who reported that a few cavalry had been there, but had gone back to Camp Goggin. So, just as Zollicoffer entered the road from Knoxville to Wartburg, within twenty-two miles of the latter place, a messenger met him with a dispatch from Colonel McClellan, stating that the information which he had given on the 4th was founded in error. Therefore, our General decided to fall back to Jacksborough, and completely blockade the two wagon roads through the mountains in that vicinity.³

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¹ I had been on the sick list ever since our battalion left Flat Lick, but had still followed the command until the above night. Not being able to go any further, I put up with one Mr. Bowling, who lived on the Clinton road, six miles south of Jacksborough, the county seat of Campbell County, where I remained for about ten days, and was quite sick with a fever during the time. J. W. Kennedy first stopped with me, but as I continued to grow worse for some days, my brother, B. A. Hancock, resigned as assistant commissary of our battalion and came to see that I was properly cared for. Ben and I rejoined the battalion at Clinton, on the 18th. B. J. Mullinax, P.

² Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 328.

³ Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 530.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 72-4

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Wednesday, November 20, 1861

Setting out from Clinton, the First Battalion moved about fifteen miles and camped on the Wartburg road, in the north corner of Roane County.

Having set out from Knoxville in the afternoon of the 17th, General Zollicoffer rejoined the brigade at Wartburg, 19th, and on the 20th he wrote to A. S. Johnston as follows:

I am moving as expeditiously as possible, with four and a half infantry regiments, a battalion of cavalry and Rutledge's Artillery, to unite with Stanton's command (his and Murray's regiments and McClellan's cavalry) beyond Jamestown, with a view of taking a strong position on the Cumberland River beyond Monticello. . . . . .

I hope, by scouring the country on the north bank down to Burkesville occasionally, to command the river, and draw supplies from Nashville when the roads to Knoxville are bad. From this camp as a base of operations I hope in mild weather to penetrate the country towards London or Danville, or in other directions, and command the approaches to Cumberland Gap or Jacksborough.

. . . I sent a few men up to Greeneville to arrest Andrew Johnson's sons and son-in-law.¹

According to Zollicoffer's official report, the following shows the aggregate present at Wartburg:

Sixteenth Alabama (battalion), 401; Fifteenth Mississippi, 701; Seventeenth Tennessee (Newman), 538; Nineteenth Tennessee (Cummings), 603; Twentieth Tennessee (Battle), 637; McNairy's Battalion, 341 ; and Rutledge's Battery (eight guns), 126—total, 3,565, but only 2,995 were able for duty. Thirty-five of McNairy's Battalion were reported absent.²

Zollicoffer ordered Colonel Stanton, with his regiment, Colonel Murray's Regiment and Lieutenant-Colonel McClellan's Battalion of cavalry, encamped at Camp McGinnis, some ten miles north of Jamestown, to make a rapid and stealthy forward movement to capture as many ferry-boats as possible along the Cumberland River, between Burkesville and Mill Springs.³

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¹ Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 686.

² Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 687.

³ Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 690.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 81-2

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

Brigadier-General Felix K. Zollicoffer to Lieutenant-Colonel William W. Mackall, November 20, 1861

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS,        

Wartburg, one mile from Montgomery, November 20, 1861.

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

SIR: I am moving as expeditiously as possible, with four and a half infantry regiments, a battalion of cavalry, and Rutledge's artillery, to unite with Stanton's command (his and Murray's regiments and McClellan's cavalry) beyond Jamestown, with a view of taking a strong position on the Cumberland River beyond Monticello. The country is sterile from near Clinton to beyond Jamestown, Tenn. The counties of Wayne and Clinton and the western half of Pulaski, in Kentucky, are, I learn, comparatively good counties for subsistence and forage. If I can find a good position on the Cumberland for hutting in winter I hope, by scouring the country on the north bank down to Burkesville occasionally, to command the river, and draw supplies from Nashville when the roads to Knoxville are bad. From this camp as a base of operations I hope in mild weather to penetrate the country towards London or Danville, or in other directions, and command the approaches to Cumberland Gap or Jacksborough. I hope it may be practicable, by scouring the intervening country occasionally by detachments from both camps, to establish and safely maintain a line of express messengers between General Buckner's outposts and my camp.

My information, when at Knoxville, induces me to believe that the numbers under Clift, in Hamilton County, were greatly exaggerated. I doubt whether he had at any time more than 100 to 200 followers. They are not now to be found, having dispersed. The tories in Sevier seem also to have retired where as yet our troops are not able to find them. I sent a few men up to Greeneville to arrest Andrew Johnson's sons and son-in-law. Have no late news from Carter and Johnson Counties. By this time I presume General Carroll is at Knoxville, in command, and instructed to make proper dispositions to guard the railroads and crush the tory combinations.

The recent burning of the bridges brought a crisis which I think demonstrates that but comparatively a small proportion of the population will now give countenance to hostile acts against the Confederate Government, and that those who are still hostile are only running upon their own destruction. They should now be dealt very severely with. Leniency and forbearance have gradually won many thousands over who would have been driven to the enemy had our policy been severe two months ago, but those that are yet hostile can only be cured of their folly by severity. They should be made to feel in their persons and their property that their hostile attitude promises to them nothing but destruction.

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 7 (Serial No. 7), p. 686-7

Brigadier-General Felix K. Zollicoffer to Samuel Cooper, November 22, 1861

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS,        

Jamestown, Tenn., Nov. 22, 1861.

General S. Cooper,

        Adjutant and Inspector-General, Richmond:

SIR: Heavy rains have made the roads slippery and will somewhat retard our progress. Day before yesterday I ordered Colonel Stanton, with his regiment, Colonel Murray's and Lieutenant-Colonel McClellan's cavalry, encamped about 10 miles north of Jamestown, to make a rapid and stealthy forward movement to capture the ferry-boats at four or five crossings of the Cumberland, and, if practicable, the enemy's cavalry said to be on this side of the river. I have not heard whether the movement has been made. I see it stated in the Nashville newspapers that General Ward has 2,000 men at Campbellsville, 1,200 at Columbia, and a regiment at Lebanon. It is reported to Colonel Stanton that the two or three regiments between Somerset and the river have moved towards Columbia, to join other forces there. He communicates also a rumor of the crossing of the Cumberland by a force of the enemy at Green's Ferry; but all these reports seem to be uncertain.  I have no dispatches from Knoxville since I left there, but hear through various scouting parties that the tories in Lower East Tennessee are dispersed, a number of prisoners taken, a few Lincolnites killed and wounded, and several hundred guns captured. Citizens have turned out in large numbers and assisted the soldiers in scouring the mountains and hunting down the fugitive traitors. They should now be pursued to extermination, if possible.

Very respectfully,

F. K. ZOLLICOFFER,        

Brigadier-General.

[Similar report to Colonel Mackall.]

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. 690

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Tuesday, October 8, 1861

McNairy's Battalion moved from Camp Buckner about four miles down the Cumberland River to Bald Hill. We were well pleased with the change. This camp was on elevated ground in an old field, and hence, not so muddy.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 54