OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP.XII.
HEADQUARTERS CAMP DICK ROBINSON, October 23, 1861.
GENERAL: I wrote you on the 22nd, giving the substance of General Schoepf's report of the events of the 21st at Rockcastle Hills. I have just received another dispatch from him, in which he reports that his scouts had just returned and report the enemy "have fully retreated in the direction of London. Our loss is ascertained to be 4 killed and 18 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, who were brought into our camp and properly cared for; 1 since dead. Our wounded are doing well.
"The 3 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 fifty 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..
"In the pocket of one of the wounded prisoners was found a letter to the commander of a secession Tennessee regiment, urging him to send forward his regiment to the relief of General Zollicoffer. I have just learned from a citizen on the route of the retreating enemy that they acknowledge a loss of 100 killed."
I shall begin to move the depot to-morrow as far to the front as Crab Orchard, and advance troops to or beyond London as soon as I possible can. Although I have sufficient ammunition for a battle, I would be obliged if you will have my requisition of the 12th instant filled and sent forward as soon as possible. I find a rumor in the papers that General Lee will supersede Zollicoffer. If he does, I should wish to be prepared for him fully. The canister and grape have reached here to-night, and I will forward them to-morrow.
The contractors, Theodore Comstock, of Columbus, Ohio, and Heildebach, Seesongood & Co., of Cincinnati, have violated their contracts, copies of which I inclose, as well as copies of my letters to them. The man Comstock had money placed in the hands of jones Brothers & Co., to be paid to him as soon as his overcoats were received, yet he has never delivered the five hundred. The Cincinnati firm furnished a few things, but have failed to deliver anything since the 18th. I fear from what I can learn that they were led away from the path of common honesty by the tempting offer of the governor of Hio. He pays them $10 for each overcoat. I hope I have your authority for publishing their names in the Cincinnati papers.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. H. THOMAS, Brigadier-General, U. S. Vols.
Brigadier General W. T. SHERMAN, Commanding Dep't of the Cumberland.
Numbers 2. Reports of Brigadier General A. Schoepf, U. S. Army.
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
