OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP.XII.

If we had had 1,000 men more and a battery of six pieces we could have whipped and destroyed both columns; but with the small force I had it was impossible to fight both at once, and to have exposed my whole force to one would have exposed my rear to the other. Our cartidgeboxes arrived the other day after the fight. We had powder and lead, and made our own cartridges and molded our own bullets.

The enemy have 6,000 troops near Pachytene; 1,000 of them advanced 10 miles this side of that place. They have not more than 1,500 at Prestonburg. What they have below as reserves I know but little of, for all communication is cut off and the whole country is frightened out of its wits, land but few men will act as scouts or guides. I am satisfied that this large force was not moved up the Sandy merely for the purpose of dispersing the unorganized and half-armed, barefooted squad under my command. They intended to move upon the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, I think, by way of the Tazewell Court-House. They fortify their positions, and have a large number of wagons. The Sandy is now navigable for steamboats to a point above Pachytene.

We want good rifles, clothes, great-coats, knapsacks, haversacks, and canteens-indeed, everything, almost, except a willingness to fight. Many of our men are barefooted, and I have seen the blood in their tracks as they marched from Ivy to this place. You know what we want, general. Send such articles as we need to Abingdon. There is but little subsistence here, and I fear I shall be compelled to fall back to a point where I can subsist until our organization is perfected. We have been so constantly fighting that we have not had time ot complete our muster rolls. I have now over 1,200 men. If I could make a forward movement the effect would be good upon the country.

Mr. Thomas has just received from the governor of Florida a commission as aide-de-camp, with rank of colonel. I cannot insist on retaining him from such increased rank. Send somebody else.

If the enemy should move by way of the Pound I have not a sufficient force to resist them-no artillery, no entrenching oils, nor axes, spades, or picks. If they come we will give them a fight, but this will do us no good but to destroy a few of them.

I have just learned from a spy that a steamboat arrived at Pachytene yesterday with supplies to the enemy.

Major Hawes wants more money. He has bought hogs, horses, wagons, &c.

Your obedient servant,

JNO. S. WILLIAMS, Colonel, C. S. A.

NOVEMBER 8-18, 1861.-Revolt of the Unionists in East Tennessee.

SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS.

Nov. 8-9, 1861.-Destruction of railroad bridges by Union men.

10, 1861.-Skirmish near Bristol.

15, 1861.-Dispersion of Unionists' camp near Chattanooga.

18, 1861.-Capture of Unionists at Doe River.

Miscellaneous reports, correspondence, and orders of the Confederate authorities.

BOWLING GREEN, KY., November 9, 1861.

Governor HARRIS, Nashville:

From our information the destruction of the railways and telegraphs near Chattanooga, Cleveland, and Dalton cannot be the work of the