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: Monday, December 2, 1861

Our General took up four pieces of artillery and soon shelled Col. Haskins' Kentuckians out of their encampment, causing them to strike tents precipitately and retire out of sight, after which Zollicoffer returned to Mr. West's.

In the meantime our commander was building ferryboats at Mill Springs as rapidly as possible, by means of which he hoped soon to be able to cross to a good position in the bend of the river, on the north bank, opposite Mill Springs. Some lumber and a saw-mill, which were found at Mill Springs, aided materially in constructing boats.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 88-9

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: 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

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Sunday, December 8, 1861

Brother Ben and four others of Allison's Company left Mr. West's to rejoin our battalion at Camp Hall, seven miles beyond Monticello.

Zollicoffer sent out two companies of cavalry to see if they could learn what had become of the enemy.

Before reaching the upper ford on Fishing Creek they found a Federal cavalry picket, consisting of one company of Wolford's Regiment, under Captain Dillon.

This company broke and a lively chase ensued.

Lieutenant Dine was posted a little beyond the upper ford, on the road leading to Somerset, with about thirty infantry from the Thirty-fifth Ohio¹ (Colonel Van Derveer). Dillon's fugitives refused to halt or give Dine's men any assistance, but pressed on to camp near Somerset. When our men struck the infantry picket above mentioned, they (the enemy) were soon killed, captured or dispersed, after which our cavalry followed Dillon's men nearly to Somerset. According to Zollicoffer's report, the enemy's loss was ten killed and sixteen captured, one of whom was badly wounded; and our loss one man and one horse wounded, and two horses killed. I take the following from Colonel Van Derveer's report:¹

We killed one of their officers in command of the advance, one of their horses, and captured one horse. Our own loss was one killed, one wounded, and fifteen missing.

In reference to the above affair General Schoepf wrote to General Thomas thus:

The cavalry under my command, as usual, behaved badly. They are a nuisance, and the sooner they are disbanded the better.

Is there no such thing as obtaining a regiment of reliable cavalry? Such a regiment is indispensable with this brigade at this time. The absence of such troops has kept me in the saddle until I am nearly worn down with fatigue.³

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¹ Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 9.

²  Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 8.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 91-2

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Tuesday, December 10, 1861

All of our company, except eight, had rejoined the battalion at Camp Hall. Our sick boys and wounded prisoners—still at Mr. West's—were improving

McNairy's scouts, on the south side of the river, continued to be annoyed by the enemy's firing across the river at them from Rowena, some thirty miles below Mill Springs. Zollicoffer having now “determined to punish the enemy” at that place, ordered McNairy to go down the south side of the river the next day to a point opposite Rowena, while another detachment of cavalry was to go from Beech Grove* down the north side to the same place.

As our lieutenants were either sick or absent, McNairy sent up a request for Captain Allison to rejoin the battalion at Camp Hall, in order to take command of his company on the Rowena trip the next day. But as Zollicoffer was not willing to let our Captain go, the latter sent his orderly, John D. McLin, to take charge of our company.

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* This was the name of Zollicoffer's camp on the north side of the river.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 94-5

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

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Thursday, November 21, 1861

Our battalion moved from the north corner of Roane County to within one mile and a half of Wartburg, where we remained for two days waiting for some clothing that was on the way to us from Knoxville.

General Zollicoffer moved from Wartburg in the direction of Jamestown, with the infantry and artillery.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 82-3

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Friday, November 22, 1861

Now being anxious to go forward in advance of the brigade, to overtake Colonel Stanton in order to ascertain whether he had put his command in motion, as directed on the 20th, or not, Zollicoffer sent a messenger back to Wartburg that morning after Captain Allison's Company,* which had been stationed at that place since the 17th, while he moved on with the brigade to Jamestown.

Captain Allison set out from Wartburg with about twenty-five of his company immediately after the arrival of the above-named messenger, and by a forced march arrived at Zollicoffer's headquatters, at Jamestown, a little after dark—distance, about thirty-five miles.

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* Zollicoffer had no regular escort. The writer, as well as the rest of Allison's Company, moved with the First Battalion.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 83

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Sunday, November 24, 1861

The clothing for our battalion having been received and distributed, Colonel McNairy again took up the line of march, and, passing through Wartburg, encamped for the night some fourteen miles from that place on the Jamestown road.

The main portion of our brigade camped within eight miles of Albany, where Zollicoffer awaited their arrival, while Colonel Stanton pressed on in the direction of Mill Springs, Kentucky, with two regiments and McClellan's Battalion of cavalry.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 83-4

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Monday, November 25, 1861

It was now very cold, and the ground was frozen hard all day, in consequence of which our wagon train did not get as far as Jamestown. In place of moving with his train, or at least going no further than it could go over the frozen roads, McNairy pressed on through Jamestown, down Cumberland Mountain to Camp McGinnison Wolf River—a march of about a thirty-one miles. The result was his men were without tents and rations one very cold night, and until late in the afternoon the next day.* The following explains itself:

HEADQUARTERS,        

KNOXVILLE, November 26, 1861.

Hon. J. P. Benjamin, Secretary of Ilar:

Sir-I have the honor to report that I arrived here on Saturday last, by order of General Zollicoffer, and assumed command of this post on Sunday. I found stationed here Colonel Wood's Battalion and several companies of infantry and cavalry.

. . . There are now in custody here about seventy persons, many of whom, it is believed, were either directly or indirectly connected with the burning of the railroad bridges. Colonel Wood (Sixteenth Alabama), who was in command here before my arrival, had in contemplation a court-martial for the trial of those upon whom proof of guilt seemed to be strong. I concurred with him, and ordered the meeting on the 28th. . . .

It is important that steam power should be secured for the purpose of driving the machinery necessary in the alterations of arms. I therefore took possession of the printing establishment of Brownlow. The steam engine and building are suitable for our purposes, and it was the only one that could be procured here.

Brownlow has left, and no certain information of his whereabouts can be obtained. It is, however, certain that he is aiding and abetting our enemies. . . .

With high respect, your obedient servant,

WM. H. CARROLL,        

Brigadier-General Commanding.1

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* As I was just out of a spell of fever, I did not wish to take the frozen ground that night without even a tent for shelter, so I rode over to my friend Lathan's, with whom I staid while sick of the measles in September (about one mile from Camp McGinnis), to see if I could get to lodge with him another night. As I neared his house, and before I saw him, he called out, “Yes, you may get down.” I yet feel grateful to Mr. Lathan for the comforts of that night.

1 Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., pp. 704 and 705.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 84-5

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: Thursday, November 28, 1861

According to orders from General Zollicoffer, Colonel McNairy went out to Burkesville with a scout of seventy-six men. The writer had sufficiently recovered to be able to go with that scout.

Burkesville, the county seat of Cumberland County, is on the north bank of the Cumberland River, some eighteen miles north-west from Albany. McNairy bivouacked on the south bank of the river, opposite to Burkesville. He threw a few of his men across the river, but they found no enemy in town.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 85-6

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Friday, November 29, 1861

We returned to camps a little after dark at the same place we started from the morning before. It was a cold, rainy day.

We learned that quite a sad affair had happened in camps that day-the result of card playing. W. K. Natcher had shot and killed George Aiken. Natcher was put under arrest. Both from Company A.

On the above date, Colonel T. E. Bramlette, who was stationed at Columbia with his regiment (First Kentucky Infantry) and a part of Wolford's and Haggard's Cavalry, made the following report of our visit to Burkesville, in a dispatch addressed to General G. H. Thomas:

I received a dispatch before day this morning from Burkesville that two hundred rebel cavalry were at the ferry on the south side of the river. A few of them crossed over and went to Boles', saw and arranged with him and his partners for the slaughter of hogs, and returned. The courier informed me that the men who are acting for the rebels are killing and packing a large number of hogs at Burkesville, viz : J. B. Alexander, J. R. Ryan, James and Sam Boles, and Robert Cross.

I have no doubt but steamboats will be up in a few days and carry off the large amount of pork, wheat, etc., the rebels are gathering upon the river. The rebels are now in possession of the river from Mill Springs down. . . . . . . . . .

I sent Colonel Wolford to the aid of Colonel Haskins with five hundred cavalry, embracing part of Colonel Haggard's command.

As I have before advised, the rebels are at Mill Springs, in force about eight thousand, but as yet have not crossed the river, and I do not believe will.¹

Colonel Haskins, with his regiment, the Fourth* Kentucky Infantry, was now encamped on the north bank of the Cumberland, some ten miles above Mill Springs.

General Zollicoffer, having reached the vicinity of Mill Springs late in the afternoon, established his headquarters at one Mr. A. R. West's, within about one mile of the river. As a portion of Captain Allison's company had gone through with the General, and was still acting as escort for him, Allison and his men put up at the same place.

Colonel Stanton, who had arrived at Mill Springs with two regiments of infantry and McClellan's Battalion and Sanders' company of cavalry, about two days in advance of Zollicoffer, had failed to secure any boats, from the fact that Colonel Haskins had taken the precaution to have them sunk; and for want of transporta[tion] he (Stanton) had failed to cross the river, as directed by Zollicoffer, to cut off Haskins' Regiment.
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¹ Col, Thomas E. Bramlette to Brig.-Gen. George H. Thomas, November 29, 1861

* Afterward the Twelfth.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 86-7

Brigadier-General William H. Carroll to Judah P. Benjamin, November 26, 1861

HEADQUARTERS, Knoxville, November 26, 1861.

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

SIR: I have the honor to report that I arrived here on Saturday last, by order of General Zollicoffer, and assumed command of this post on Sunday. I found stationed here Colonel Wood's battalion and several companies of infantry and cavalry. There seemed to be much uneasiness and apprehension felt in reference to the disaffected portion of the population. I have put the city under military rule and have restored peace and security.

I have detailed and sent to the various districts where I had information there were any gatherings of disaffected citizens and had them dispersed, and in many instances the leaders arrested. As soon as possible, I dispatched companies of mounted men to scour the country, with instructions to arrest and send here all persons who were inciting rebellion or were found with arms, resisting the authorities. In all instances where there was no proof of disloyalty I have discharged the prisoners upon their taking the oath of allegiance.

There are now in custody here about 70 persons, many of whom, it, is believed, were either directly or indirectly connected with the burning of the railroad bridges. Colonel Wood, who was in command here before my arrival, had in contemplation a court-martial for the trial of those upon whom proof of guilt seemed to be strong. I concurred with him, and ordered the meeting on the 28th. The board will be composed of some of the most intelligent officers within this post, and I have no doubt their action will be prudent and discreet.

It is important that steam-power should be secured for the purpose of driving the machinery necessary in the alteration of arms. I therefore took possession of the printing establishment of Brownlow. The steam-engine and building are suitable for our purposes, and it was the only one that could be procured here. Brownlow has left, and no certain information of his whereabouts can be obtained; it is, however, certain that he is aiding and abetting our enemies. I have assured his sons, who profess to have sold the establishment to a Mr. Baxter, that full indemnity for the use of the establishment would be paid by the Government. I have every assurance that the sale to Baxter was a false one, and feel that Baxter is not reliable in his loyalty to our Government.

In obedience to your instructions, Novemeber 22, I have given orders that all contracts for hogs or cattle made with the agents of the Confederate Government shall be complied with, and have dispatched several armed parties to see that it is properly executed.

There are 1,140 sacks of salt here. I have directed 400 sacks should be delivered to D. Morris & Co. and 400 sacks to Wilson & Johnson. This is sufficient to meet their present wants, and the balance will be returned, to meet such other demands as may arise. I will report to you again soon.

With high respect, your obedient servant,

WM. H. CARROLL,        

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

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. 704-5

Brigadier-General Felix K. Zollicoffer to Samuel Cooper, November 27, 1861

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS,        

Thirteen miles west of Monticello, November 27, 1861.

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

SIR: Two regiments cross the river to-day at Mill Springs to endeavor to cut off 800 of the enemy at Waitsborough, 9 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 9,000. 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, 17 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. We have here an abundance of beef, pork, and corn, at low prices. The better classes of citizens sympathize with us.

Very respectfully,

F. K. ZOLLICOFFER,    

Brigadier-General.

[Similar report to Lieutenant-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. 706-7

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.

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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: 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: Monday, November 11, 1861

Zollicoffer's infantry was now busily engaged blockading the gaps in Cumberland Mountain, near Jacksborough, under the direction of his engineer, Captain V. Sheliha, while his cavalry was picketing, scouting, watching the by-ways by which the tories would be likely to attempt to pass into Kentucky, aiding in putting down the rebellion, of which we have been speaking, and seizing all the arms that could be found in possession of Union citizens. And thus the brigade was employed for about seven days after the above date.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 80

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.

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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-