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 Except cavalry Scouts, my force will be withdrawn from this post to-morrow.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 Albin F. Schoepf to Brigadier-General George H. Thomas, October 22, 1861

CAMP ON ROCKCASTLE RIVER, October 22, 1861.

SIR: I sent up this morning all the spare wagons on hand. Please send me supplies of provisions of all kinds.

I sent an express to your headquarters yesterday, with a rough pencil note of the events of the day. The enemy has not since presented himself. I sent out scouts this morning to ascertain his whereabouts. These scouts have since returned, and report that the enemy have fully retreated in the direction of London.

Our loss yesterday is ascertained to be 4 killed and 18 wounded. On examination of the battle ground I set the enemy's loss down at 30 killed, with a large wounded list, the latter taken by them off the field (as I learn from an intelligent citizen in the vicinity), except 3, which were brought into our camp and properly cared for; one since died. Our wounded are doing well.

These prisoners, all examined separately by myself, gave the same statement relative to the strength of the enemy, viz, about 7,000.

The enemy fought well, approaching to within about 50 yards of our muskets with shouts and cheers, which were promptly responded to by our men, under the immediate command of Colonels Coburn and Wolford.

I yesterday asked for artillery ammunition and caps for rifles, to which I would now add a further supply of musket cartridges and caps.

The troops now en route for this camp will be held on the opposite side of the river for the present. I can hold my position with my present force against an equal or superior number, should the enemy again attack.

I will await further orders before following the enemy.

In the pocket of one of the wounded prisoners was found a letter to the commander of a Tennessee (secession) regiment, urging him to send forward his regiment to the relief of General Zollicoffer.

Respectfully submitted.

A. SCHOEPF,        

Brigadier-Genera1.

Brig. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS,
        Commanding First Kentucky Brigade, Camp Dick Robinson.

P. S.—I have just learned from a citizen on the route of the retreating enemy that they acknowledge a loss of 100 killed.

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. 206-7

Official Reports: Action at Rockcastle Hills, or Camp Wildcat, Ky.. October 21, 1861. No. 5. — Reports of Brigadier-General F. K. Zollicoffer, C. S. Army, including operations October 16-26, with correspondence.

No. 5.

Reports of Brigadier-General F. K. Zollicoffer, C. S. Army,

including operations October 16-26, with correspondence.

CAMP NEAR ROCKCASTLE RIVER, October 20, 1861.

SIR: I have advanced 4 miles north of London, under disability to an embarrassing extent for want of subsistence and transportation. The country is very poor indeed. The enemy occupy a strong position 8 miles ahead. We had a skirmish between pickets day before yesterday, in which we killed 1 man and captured another. We lost yesterday 1 man killed. We had a force yesterday 3 or 4 miles ahead, but, for want of water, subsistence, forage, and transportation (our wagons having been by an accident detained at and near London), had to return here to camp.

Very respectfully,

F. K. ZOLLICOFFER,        

Brigadier-General.

Lieut. Col. W. W. MACKALL,
        Assistant Adjutant-General.

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CAMP FLAT LICK, KNOX COUNTY,        

October 24, 1861.

On the 21st I reached the enemy's intrenched 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. The enemy received large re-enforcements.

Our loss was 42 wounded and 11 killed and missing. We captured 21 prisoners, about 100 guns, and 4 horses. The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded unknown.

The country is so poor we had exhausted the forage on the road for 15 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- Genera1.

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

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CAMP AT FLAT LICK, KNOX COUNTY, KENTUCKY,        

Via Knoxville, October 26, 1861.

On the 21st I reached the enemy's intrenched camp on Rockcastle Hills, a natural fortification, almost inaccessible. Having reconnoitered it in three 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. The enemy received large re-enforcements.

Our loss was 42 wounded and 11 killed and missing. We captured 21 prisoners, about 100 guns, and 4 horses. The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded unknown.

The country is so poor we had exhausted the forage along the road for 15 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.

F. K. ZOLLICOFFER.

Adjutant General COOPER.

_______________

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS,        

Camp Buckner, October 26, 1861.

SIR: I have information that the enemy were nine regiments at Rock-castle Hills. They are thought to have large re-enforcements close at hand. The country is very poor generally between here and there, particularly beyond London. I learn that some signs of trouble are again arising in East Tennessee, as the impression increases that the enemy is soon to advance in force. The new levies I learn come in slowly. Could General William R. Caswell, who recently resigned when the Tennessee regiments were transferred, have a commission it would greatly promote the public interest. He has been very efficient in advising me to dispose matters properly in East Tennessee since I have been in Kentucky. He is a true gentleman, of high courage, sound sense, exemplary habits, and of popularity worth much in the present condition of affairs in East Tennessee.

The Log Mountains, between here and Cumberland Gap, will soon, I learn, become almost impassable. The road is now very bad. There is reason to suppose the enemy may advance by way of Jamestown, 120 miles below here, instead of by this route. I have seven cavalry companies watching that route; no infantry or artillery, two regiments there having been ordered away by General Johnston. If I get news of their approach in that direction I will proceed as rapidly as possible to meet them, and have already collected some stock of commissary stores in that neighborhood.

Very respectfully,

F. K. ZOLLICOFFER,        

Brigadier-General.

Adjt. Gen. S. COOPER,
        Richmond, Va.

_______________

CAMP BUCKNER, October 26, 1861.

I have fallen back to this position. I am reliably informed that there were nine regiments of the enemy at Rockcastle Hills on the 21st. Uncertain news that they were to camp at Laurel Bridge last night. Think there is danger they may advance by Jamestown, 120 miles from here. I have seven cavalry companies there; no infantry or artillery, Stanton and Murray being removed. Colonel Churchwell, at the gap, reports three 8-inch howitzers in position, but that the ordnance stores sent with them are totally insufficient, the shells not filled, &c. I fear we have no powder to fill them. Two Parrott guns have reached Knoxville and are ordered on. We much need an ordnance and competent engineer officer.

F. K. ZOLLICOFFER,        

Brigadier-General.

Lieutenant-Colonel MACKALL.

_______________

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS,        

Camp Ten Mile, October 16, 1861.

General W. R. CASWELL, or Col. W. B. WOOD, Knoxville, Tenn.:

Being much embarrassed for want of transportation in some of the regiments and battalions, we made a march of only 10 miles to-day. Letters from Colonel Stanton and Major Bridgman, dated 11th and 12th, received this evening. They both think the enemy has retired from Albany towards Columbia or Camp Dick Robinson. My plan to get behind them and cut them off may be defeated; but Stanton's regiment has now left for Bowling Green, and Bridgman returned to Post Oak Springs. What has become of the two companies of Colonel Brazel-ton's battalion or of Captain Bledsoe's company neither explains. Perhaps the latter is with Colonel Murray's regiment at Camp Myers, in Overton County. This retiring of our forces may induce the Lincoln forces to return again. I wish the subsistence supply mentioned heretofore taken to Jamestown by the 25th instant; and you will order those cavalry companies to rendezvous in that neighborhood at the same time, that the subsistence stores may not be exposed. I must ask you to transmit from Knoxville the necessary orders to insure this and the inclosed letter to Colonel Murray.

Very respectfully,

F. K. ZOLLICOFFER,        

Brigadier-General.

[Inclosure.]

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS,        

Camp Ten Mile, Ky., October 16, 1861.

Colonel MURRAY, Camp Myers:

SIR: I am 10 miles on the march toward a camp of the enemy on Rock-castle River, having left Cumberland Ford this evening with the greater part of my command. I learned that the enemy at Albany has retired. My plan has been to fall in their rear and cut them off. Now that Colonel Stanton and our cavalry have left the neighborhood of Jamestown, the enemy may return in force near the line. I have ordered stores of subsistence for my troops to be placed at Jamestown by the 25th instant, and have ordered the same cavalry companies to return to that neighborhood almost the same time, to prevent the enemy from seizing and appropriating the stores. Perhaps the cavalry from above would not be sufficient to prevent an incursion. I expect to pass down by Somerset and Monticello or by Columbia and Burkesville, in the hope of capturing any forces they may be threatening your position with. As secrecy is the element of success, I must beg of you not to mention to any solitary person this enterprise. My object in writing to you is to ask you, about the 25th, to move in such a way as to insure, by the aid of the cavalry, the safety of the stores, until I can reach the neighborhood. Inform General Caswell at Knoxville what you can do, and he will communicate with me.

Very respectfully,

F. K. ZOLLICOFFER,        

Brigadier-General.

_______________

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.

_______________

CAMP RED SULPHUR, October 22, 1861.

General F. K. ZOLLICOFFER:

DEAR SIR: I am in receipt of yours of 16th instant. I am much pleased to learn that you are moving in direction of the interior of Kentucky. We are to-day within 32 miles of Burkesville; will reach and capture the Federal forces there by the 25th of this instant. We will then move to Albany by the 26th of this instant. Will you inform me of your position at Albany, as I will wait at that point for orders from you? I have no fears of our success at Burkesville. In the mean time our forces will prevent the Federal forces from capturing your supplies at Jamestown. Yours shall be strictly confidential.

I am, your obedient servant,

JOHN P. MURRAY,        

Colonel Twenty-eighth Regiment Tennessee Volunteers.

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. 209-13

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Sunday, October 20, 1861

Zollicoffer put his brigade in motion about noon, with McNairy's Battalion again in the rear. Late in the afternoon, within about three miles of Wildcat, Zollicoffer's advance guard killed one* of the enemy's picket and wounded and captured another.

McNairy having been ordered to the front, reported to General Zollicoffer, at the head of the infantry column, just as the General had learned that the battalion of cavalry in front had come in contact with and been repulsed by the Federals. Notwithstanding it was now about dark, he ordered McNairy to take his battalion and dislodge the Federals from their position in a dense woods, just beyond a large field.

Just as the front of our battalion had passed out of the field into the road beyond, with woods on both sides, the enemy fired a few shots from the woods on our right. Our Colonel then cried out, Charge! charge!" (with an oath). Dashing forward a short distance, seeing no enemy in front, and fearing an ambuscade, he halted, moved his men back into the field, dismounted a part of them, and scoured the woods on foot, finding that the enemy had fallen back.

It would seem that there was only a small squad of Federals in the woods, and that they fled as soon as they fired the first round. We then fell back to the opposite side of the field, deployed in line of battle, and lay on our arms all night. We were now within about two miles of Wildcat; could hear the enemy's' drums. As soon as the enemy fired on the First Battalion, the Twentieth Tennessee Infantry plunged into Rockcastle River about waist deep, and went to our support.

_______________

* Dr. Wyatt and the writer dismounted and listed his remains from the road. He proved to be Captain Merriman, from East Tennessee.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 58-9

Brigadier-General Felix K. Zollicoffer to Colonel John P. Murray, October 16, 1861

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS,        

Camp Ten Mile, Ky., October 16, 1861.

Colonel MURRAY, Camp Myers:

SIR: I am 10 miles on the march toward a camp of the enemy on Rock-castle River, having left Cumberland Ford this evening with the greater part of my command. I learned that the enemy at Albany has retired. My plan has been to fall in their rear and cut them off. Now that Colonel Stanton and our cavalry have left the neighborhood of Jamestown, the enemy may return in force near the line. I have ordered stores of subsistence for my troops to be placed at Jamestown by the 25th instant, and have ordered the same cavalry companies to return to that neighborhood almost the same time, to prevent the enemy from seizing and appropriating the stores. Perhaps the cavalry from above would not be sufficient to prevent an incursion. I expect to pass down by Somerset and Monticello or by Columbia and Burkesville, in the hope of capturing any forces they may be threatening your position with. As secrecy is the element of success, I must beg of you not to mention to any solitary person this enterprise. My object in writing to you is to ask you, about the 25th, to move in such a way as to insure, by the aid of the cavalry, the safety of the stores, until I can reach the neighborhood. Inform General Caswell at Knoxville what you can do, and he will communicate with me.

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. 212

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Saturday, October 5, 1861

Setting out on his return between daybreak and sunrise, McNairy arrived at Camp Buckner a little after dark, and reported the result of his reconnoissance to Zollicoffer, who, on the next day, the 6th, sent the following communication to A. S. Johnston:

A reconnoitering detachment has just returned from London, reporting no appearance of an enemy there. They report, upon general information from country people, that there are 3,300 of the enemy encamped on Rockcastle hills (Wildcat), a strong position thirteen miles beyond, where the Mount Vernon road crosses the Rockcastle River.

I would move forward and attack them instantly but for unexpected deficiency in subsistence stores. Ten days ago I ordered the brigade commissary to accumulate a stock of thirty days' rations for 5,000 men. To-day I have not five days' rations. I could not properly advance with less than ten. I hope soon to have the supplies.

I sent a large detachment into Harlan county, where I heard there were 500 or 600 men embodied under arms. No organized enemy found.

I have sent a cavalry detachment to Williamsburg, some thirty miles west.

Not yet returned. This is nearly my only means of getting information of the country.¹

_______________

¹ Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 439.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 53-4