Brigadier-General Felix K. Zolicoffer, September 25, 1861

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS,        

Camp Buckner, September 25, 1861.

Col. James E. Rains will march at 4 o'clock to-morrow morning, via Barboursville, to Laurel Bridge, on the London road, with his regiment, provisioned for six days, three rations of which should be cooked, leaving his tents in this encampment. Colonel McNairy's command will accompany him or follow him, by a right-hand road crossing Laurel Creek about 2 miles above the bridge. Colonel R. will have command, and will dislodge a supposed force of the enemy at the bridge by attacking simultaneously with infantry and cavalry at both ends of the bridge. He will be furnished a guide who will give him information of some arms, which he will capture, if practicable. He will take with him also Lieutenant Falcond's section of artillery. A battalion of Colonel Statham’s infantry, with three companies of Colonel Branner's cavalry, will be posted on the road to be pursued by Colonel McNairy about 10 miles back, to give support, if necessary. Simultaneously. Colonel Cummings' regiment, with two companies of Colonel Broydton's [Brazelton's?] cavalry, will escort a train of wagons to the Goose Creek Salt Works, 16 or 18 miles east, in Clay County, to load with salt. The different detachments will communicate by express messengers with each other and with me, and when the salt train returns all will return to this encampment. Much is trusted to Colonel Rains' discretion in whatever may transpire on the way.

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. 292