OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP.XII.

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.

Lieutenant Colonel W. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General.

CAMP FLAT LICK, KNOX COUNTY, October 24, 1861.

On the 21st I reached the enemy's entrenched 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-General.

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

CAMP AT FLAT LICK, KNOX COUNTY, KENTUCKY, Via Knoxville, October 26, 1861.

On the 21st I reached the enemy's entrenched camp on Rockcastle Hills, a natural fortification, almost inaccessible. Having reconnoitered it 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 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.