CHAP.XII.] AFFAIRS AT ALBANY, KY., AND TRAVISVILLE, TENN.
salt works, in Clay County, to fill a train of wagons with salt. The population in those counteis is hostile, and I considered the first expedition favorable to masking the second, while both would procure me valuable information of the country.
The first expedition drove in the enemy's pickets some distance this side of the bridge, broke up their camp, captured part of their baggage, consisting of 8,000 cartridges, 25,000 cap, 3 kegs of powder, 6 barrels of salt, 25 pairs of shoes, 2 wagons and teams, 3 other horses, and 3 prisoners, including 2 of their cavalry pickets. They gave them ineffectual chase several miles through London and a few miles beyond.*
The second expedition obtained 200 barrels of salt, all that was at the works, and returned without notable incident. The works belong to Lincold men, but I caused it to be receipted for, with the expectation that the Confederate Government will pay for it at the price at the works-forty cents per bushel. The scarcity of the article in the Confederate States makes the acquisition a valuable one to the Army.
I regret to have heard of irregularities among the soldiers on these expeditions in trespassing upon private property, which I will investigate and have severely punished. The population in these counties is an ignorant one, and much prejudiced against us by misrepresentation. I have made some progress in conciliating them, but I fear this conduct will tend to defeat such object.
Inclosed find report of the death of Lieutenant Powell, killed at Barboursville, on the 19th instant. Is the vacancy to be filled by election or promotion?
Very respectfully,
F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, Brigadier-General.
Adjt. General S. COOPER, Richmond, Va.
SEPTEMBER 29, 1861.-Affairs at Albany, Ky., and Travisville, Tenn.
Report of Colonel William A. Hoskins, Twelfth Kentucky Infantry.
CAMP AT ALBANY, September 29, 1861.
SIR: On my arrival at this place on yesterday I found it occupied by the Home Guards of Clinton and Russell Counties, the Confederate troops having evacuated the same; after appropriating such of private and public property as they chose returned to their encampment, distant from this place 20 miles.
Among other things which they captured were 30-odd Home Guard muskets and 3,000 rounds of B. and B. cartridges.
The promptness with which the Home Guard of Russell came to the relief of the people of this county is deserving of all praise, as also their heroes conducted in replanting and standing by the colors in the presence of such danger, with a foe outnumbering them ten to one, from which they were momentarily expecting an attack. On my arrival at Monticello, learning that the Confederate troops contemplated reoccupying Albany, I deemed it best to call to my aid the Home Guards of Pulaski County, as also those of the counties of Lincoln, Casey, and Russell, under the command of Colonel J. L. Barnes.
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*For Zollicoffer's instructions to Rains, see Garrard to Thomas, October 3, in "Correspondence, etc.-Union," p. 291.
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