CHAP.XII.] SKIRMISH AT HOPKINSVILLE, KY., ETC.
Captain Bledsoe ascertained that about 400 Lincoln men at Albany, Ky., had made prisoners of some of our friends in their neighborhood, who sent to Bledsoe for help. He dashed over the line to Albany, routed the Lincoln men, and captured about 60 muskets, which he sent to Colonel Stanton.
The force of the enemy has collected at Monticello 800 strong, and two small pieces of artillery have been sent them from Camp Dick Robinson. Bledsoe has since sent to Colonel Stanton for help, which has been refused. He sent a second time, and was informed that he (Stanton) would not afford the desired assistance unless ordered by General Johnston. This is what a messenger sent to General Caswell says. Bledsoe, a very gallant man, thinks with this timely aid he could disperse the Lincoln force and take their cannon. Three companies of cavalry have been ordered to Bledsoe's relief, but Stanton, who is so near, ought to give his aid.
I hear that about 2,500 Lincolnites have assembled at Louisa, in Lawrence County, Kentucky, on the Lower Sandy River, and that the people of Scott, Lee, Wise, Russell, and other western counties in Virginia are preparing against invasion. I have written to leading men in those counties, and have sent an intelligent officer through them to get reliable news and to urge timely preparations to guard the gaps in the mountains.
Very respectfully,
F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, Brigadier-General.
Lieutenant-Colonel MACKALL, Asst. Adjt. General , Columbus, Ky.
SEPTEMBER 26 and 29, 1861.-Destruction of the Lock at the mouth of Muddy River (26), skirmish (29) at Hopkinsville, Ky., and its occupation by Confederate forces.
Report of Brigadier General Simon B. Buckner, C. S. Army.
BOWLING GREEN, October 4, 1861.
I returned here yesterday. On the 26th September destroyed the lock at the mouth of Muddy River; occupied Hopkinsville on the 29th, the Home Guards having departed on the previous night. Our only loss was 1 killed and 1 dangerously wounded, resulting from an ambush of few of the dispersing home Guards. Our cavalry wounded several and took 2 prisoners. Men stood march of over 100 miles remarkably well; their conduct generally excellent. We made many friends. I left the brigade of Mississippians and two small regiments under Brigadier-General Alcorn at Hopkinsville. I will send you by mail a copy of my instructions to him. I can reconstruct at a cost of a few hundred dollars an old telegraph line from Clarksville to Hopkinsville. Shall I direct it to be built? There is a regiment 1,000 strong in Overton County, Tenn., about 70 miles southeast of this place; it is commanded by Colonel S. S. Stanton who is still under orders to respect the neutrality of Kentucky. If not wanted there, I request permission to order them to join me.
Yours, respectfully,
S. B. BUCKNER, Brigadier-General.
Colonel W. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General.
