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

General Zollicoffer, at great inconvenience to himself, has sent me Colonel Powell's regiment, numbering about 600 effective men, which I have disposed of as above stated. I have arrested 6 of the men who were engaged in burning the Lick Creek Bridge, and I desire to have instructions from you as to the proper disposition of them. The slow course of civil law in punishing such incendiaries, it seems to me, will not have the salutary effect which is desirable. I learn from two gentlemen just arrived that another camp is being formed about 10 miles from here in Sevier County, and already 300 are in camp. They are being re-enforced from Blount, Roane, Johnson, Greene, Carter, and other counties. I need not say that great alarm is felt by the few Southern men. They are finding places of safety for their families, and would gladly enlist if we had arms to furnish them. I have had all the arms in this city seized, and authorized Major Campbell to impress all he can find in the hands of Union men, who ought now to be regarded as avowed enemies, for the use of the new companies. I felt it to be my duty to place this city under martial law, as there was a large majority of the people sympathizing with the enemy, and communicating with them by the unfrequented mountain paths, and to prevent surprise and the destruction of the commissary and quartermaster's stores.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. B. WOOD, Colonel, Commanding Post.

JACKSBOROUGH, TENN., November 11, 1861.

General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.:

SIR: The communication of the 26th ultimo from your office, apprising me that three regiments, under command of Brigadier-General Carroll, had been ordered to report to me, reached me only yesterday. The mail through this portion of East Tennessee is unreliable.I am under the necessity of establishing and relying upon a line of express messengers between my headquarters and Knoxville. Colonel W. B. Wood, Sixteenth Alabama Regiments, is commandant at that post, and letters for me directed to Knoxville to his care will immediately reach me. General Carroll has just informed me, by letter from Memphis, that he has but one regiment armed. I telegraphed you yesterday the news communicated to me of the burning of the bridges. I learn to-day the telegraph wires are destroyed for about 15 miles. Colonel Wood also states that he has news that about 500 East Tennessee Federalists are marching on the Holston Bridge, few miles above Knoxville, and that about 1,500 Federalists, of Hamilton County, are moving toward Loudon Bridge. I sent Colonel Wood a regiment, which probably reached Knoxville last night. I incline to the opinion the above-named reports are much exaggerated; but there are may indications that the Federalists in East Tennessee believe a large force from Kentucky are to invade us immediately and simultaneously at different points, and are intending, by concert of action in threatening the destruction of the railroad, to distract and derange our plans of defense.

Very respectfully,

F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, Brigadier-General.