OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP. XII.

wagoners, who had just come into camp from Adair, reports two Ohio or Indiana regiments are in camp. By to-morrow night I shall get reply. I have written to them to know what effective force they have at Columbia; whether they can move in concert with me, and whether they have sufficient force to throw in the rear to cut off his retreat, and, if so, can they still furnish, and how much, force to join with me in front.

If they will thrown forward to Burkesville sufficient force to hold the passes and cut off communication with Buckner's line, the rebel and rabble crew can be effectually crushed.

I have ordered 400 or Colonel Wolford's cavalry go forward one hour before day to reconnoiter, to advance as far as they can prudently go, gather all they can of the strength, character of forces, position, and movements of the enemy and return and report, by which time I shall hear from Columbia. From all I can gather I take it that its is the same body of unorganized, badly-armed rebels who have been heretofore gathered near Monroe, in Overton County, Tennessee. Their strength had doubtless been greatly exaggerated. There were for some two months near Monroe 2,000 to 2,500; they left there to join Buckner, and returned through Monroe County, Kentucky, Cumberland County, and to Clinton, where they were at last accounts, with the purpose of breaking up the unarmed camps at burkesville and then at this place. Their failure to advance, I suppose, grown out of the fact that they ascertained that the camp at Goggin was armed.

Colonels Wolford and Hoskins requested me in your absence to take command.

I have sent back for the provisions we were unable to bring up.

There is no possible chance for the enemy to advance upon our front without being cut to pieces. He may attempt a flank movement, but I will guard that in time to meet him at equally as formidable a pass. Respectfully,

THO. E. BRAMLETTE.

CAMP HOSKINS, PULASKI COUNTY, KENTUCKY, November 2, 1861.

Brigadier General GEORGE H. THOMAS, Commanding First Kentucky Brigade:

GENERAL: I have just received three dispatches from Wayne (all concurring), stating that Zollicoffer, with his full force, estimated by some as high as 20,000, arrived at Monticello on last night, and to-day are on their march in this direction.

On yesterday some five Tennessee arrived at our camp from near Hartsville, Tenn., and they reported that Zollicoffer's forces were marching across from Cumberland Gap to Jamestown, Tenn.; but having heard so many false rumors, I was indisposed to trouble you until I had new which was reliable.

I shall contest this point until resistance is useless. I have just ordered the destruction of all the ferry-boats at this point, and shall so distribute my picket guards along the river above and below this point as to guard against a flank movement.

I repeat it, the news of the approach of Zollicoffer is reliable, and aid cannot reach us too soon.

Zollicoffer has artillery, as it has been heard even to this point. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. A. HOSKINS, Colonel Commanding Fourth Regiment Kentucky Volunteers.