CHAP.XII.] REVOLT OF THE UNIONISTS IN EAST TENN.

to call upon the railroad companies, and also upon communicates in vicinity of railroad, for aid and material, employing both where necessary, giving certificates usual in such cases. While reconstructing bridges and repairing the roads you will give due care to the telegraph communication, re-establishing it where interfered with, exercising in this the authority granted with regard to the road. To enable you to carry out these instructions Stovall's battalion, with a light battery, will be ordered to report to you at Bristol, and a regiment ordered from General Bragg at Chattanooga, to be so disposed of as may best secure successful accomplishment of your orders. You will report to General A. S. Johnston by letter your arrival in Tennessee, the nature of your instructions, also advising General Zollicoffer to the same effect. Full and frequent reports are desired of your operations, respecting condition of the road, and disposition of the population adjacent thereto.

I am, sir, respectfully, &c.,

S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General.

WYTHEVILLE, November 10, 1861.

J. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War:

Following dispatch received:

Mr. Branner, president East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad came up this evening and says Union men are gathering; about 1,500 at Carter's Depot. See commander of forces at Wytheville and urge him to come out. This is no sensation report, but truth. Bridges have been burned on East Tennessee Road. General Marshall left here for Kentucky to-day. Commanders of forces here have marching orders to follow. Will you comply with request and send troops from here to Tennessee? Reply.

Battery and one regiment here.

R. C. KENT.

MEMPHIS, November 11, 1861.

Major-General POLK:

Please send me all the guns and accouterments that can be spared to Chattanooga. I will move one regiment in the morning. You will see by the dispatches how urgent the necessity is.

WM. H. CARROLL.

CLEVELAND, TENN., November 11, 1861.

JEFFERSON DAVIS, President:

Several bridges burned on E. T. Road. The country in great excitement and terror. The Twenty-third Regiment, Colonel Hutcherson's Georgia Volunteers, leaving Camp McDonald to-day for Richmond. Can you order them temporarily to Knoxville, Tenn? You could dispatch to Marietta and August, Ga.

J. W. LEWIS, Supt. E. T. and Va. R. R.

BRISTOL, November 11, 1861.

HonorableJ. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War:

I have just returned from the burned bridge. We have at the next bridge, 10 miles beyond, about 250 men, under Captain McClellan.