CHAP.XII.] REVOLT OF THE UNIONISTS IN EAST TENN.
Prestonburg, before whom Colonel Williams retired through Pound Gap, and was at Big Stone Gap the last account we had of him.
Very respectfully,
POLLOK B. LEE, Assistant Adjutant-General.
CHATTANOOGA, November 17, 1861.
HonorableJ. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War:
DEAR SIR: The undersigned has the honor to report that he was ordered to this place on last Monday, the 11th, by Major-General Bragg, with eight companies of his command, the Seventh Regiment of Alabama Volunteers. Left Pensacola at 4 o'clock Monday; arrived at Chattanooga at 5 o'clock Thursday afternoon. I arranged by telegraph with Colonel William B. Wood, of the Sixteenth Alabama Regiment, who had come from Knoxville to Athens, to make a simultaneous movement across the Tennessee River-he from Cottonport by way of Decatur and the Seventh Regiment from Chattanooga. I also ordered Colonel Gillespie and Colonel Tibbs, who were at the head of 300 mounted Home Guards, to cross in two parties of 150 each, on the right and left of the place where my regiment would land on the north side of the river, one party 8 miles above, the other 8 miles below me; and then all the different command to move at daylight Friday morning from the Tennessee River to the supposed encampment of the enemy on Sale Creek.
The Seventh Regiment, under the immediate command of my lieutenant-colonel (Coltart) were put on a steamboat, as soon as they could cook their rations for four days, about 12 o'clock Thursday night, and just at daylight were landed 27 miles from Chattanooga, within 9 miles of the camp the insurgents. I accompanied this part of the command. A column was formed, skirmishers thrown out, and every man and woman and negro detained as we advanced. We reached the camp ground about 11 o'clock, where about 300 of mounted Home Guards from Rhea County had arrived about five minutes in advance. Our skirmishers ordered them to halt as soon we met, and, as they failed to do so, five guns were fired upon them as they rode off. One man slightly wounded. They then saw our flag and bayonets, and, recognizing us, halted partly, and we soon knew each other.
The insurgents, dispersed the night before we arrived, after loading a council of war, in which they undertook to determine what they should do. They voted upon three propositions, there being about 200 present: 1st. Should they stay and fight? Ayes, 4-colonel Clift, Lieutenant Colonel Shelton,Mr. Pearson, and another.
2nd. Should they endeavor to reach Kentucky? Nearly 100 voted to do so.
3rd. The others voted to disperse.
In the night they all broke up, about 10 or 12 going with Colonel Clift, who is now hid i the mountains; 65 with a Captain Sullivan, who marched toward Kentucky, but who is probably still in the hills. The others fled in every way, and are hid about their respective homes or at work, denying that they had any share in the matter. I have about 12 prisoners-some of them found on their way to Sullivan, with arms, and rations cooked for six days. I ordered Colonel William B. Wood back to Knoxville. The mounted men are all still scouring the coun-
