OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP.XII.
They have two cannon, which they found on the cars, and which were given to them by General Charles Clark, who stopped until this morning with them. The camp of the enemy is at N. G. Taylor's, 5 miles distant, with about 400 men. Another camp, at Elizabethtown, 2 miles farther, is said to contain 500 men. The two may be confounded. There is no doubt but that re-enforcements are every moment reaching them from Watauga County, North Carolina, and Johnson, Carter, and Washington Counties, Tennessee. These counties can furnish about 2,000 Lincolinites, and each fresh occasion emboldens them. They threaten to burn Watauga Bridge to-night. Should they be successful, it will bring forward hundreds now quiet. It is all-important they shuld be disposed of before they unite their different forces, now ranging from 50 to 500. A fight occurred last night between 22 of our scouts and the main camp of the enemy. We captured 2, killed 9, and lost none. I have given orders for all trains to give way to the troop trains now coming forward. They will reach here to-morrow morning. Can I do anything for you?
RO. L. OWEN, President Virginia and Tennessee Railroad.
KNOXVILLE, November 11, 1861.
Adjutant-General COOPER:
Three brigades burned between Bristol and Chattanooga, two on Georgia road. Five hundred Union men now threatening Strawberry Plains. Fifteen hundred assembling in Hamilton County, and a general uprising in all the counties. I have about 1,000 men under my command.
W. B. WOOD, Colonel.
KNOXVILLE, November 11, 1861.
General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General:
SIR: My fears, expressed to you by letters and dispatches of 4th and 5th instant, have been realized by the destruction of no less than five railroad bridges, two on the East Tennessee and Virginia road, one on the East Tennessee and Georgia road, and tow on the Western and Atlantic road. The indications were apparent to me, but I was powerless to avert it. The whole country is now in a state of rebellion. A thousand men are within 6 miles of Strawberry Plains Bridge, and an attack is contemplated to-morrow. I have sent Colonel Powell there with 200 infantry, one company cavalry, and about 100 citizens, armed with shot-guns and country rifles. Five hundred Unionists left Hamilton Country to-day, we suppose to attack London Bridge. I have major Campbell there with 200 infantry and one company cavalry. I have about the same force at this point and a cavalry company at Watauga Bridge. An attack was make on Watauga yesterday. Our men succeeded in beating them off, but they are gathering in larger force, and may renew it in day or two. They are not yet fully organized, and have no subsistence to enable them to hold out long. A few regiments and vigorous means would have a powerful effect in putting it down. A mild or conciliating policy will do no good; they must be punished, and some of the leaders ought to be punished to the extent of the law. Nothing short of this will give quiet to the country.
