OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP.XII.

If the military suggestions I have made in this letter prove to have been founded on erroneous date, you are, of course, perfectly free to change the plans of operations.

McCLELLAN.

HEADQUARTERS EAST TENNESSEE BRIGADE,

Camp Calvert, November 12,1861. (Received November 13.)

Brigadier General GEORGE H. THOMAS, U.S.A.:

DEAR GENERAL: This afternoon I received a message from Captain Ryan (formerly of Second Regiment), who is on Elk Fork, in edge of Tennessee, through one represented to me as a trusty person, telling me that Zollicoffer left Jacksborough on Thursday night of last week, with five regiments, and went in direction of Knoxville. Before his command marched they were ordered to prepare two day's rations, and all the wagons in the neighborhood were pressed into service by them. The messenger further stated that all the rebels about Big Creek Gap, Wilson's Gap, Chitwood's, Wheeler's, and Childers' Gaps had left after filling them up as well as they could with timber and rocks. I advised Brigadier-General Schoepf of above information.

Late this afternoon Captain Myers, of First East Tennessee Regiment, has returned from the vicinity of Big Creek Gap, and confirms the intelligence sent me by Captain Ryan, and says further that it was understood that only one regiment and part of another remained at Cumberland Gap, and the report was they were to follow Zollicoffer. When at Jacksborough, I am informed, Zollicoffer had seven pieces of artillery and all his cavalry. I forward this evening requisition for arms and ammunition for same.

Yesterday I sent 45 pounds rifle powder, 50 pounds lead, and 20 boxes rifle caps into East Tennessee for the Union men. I borrowed the whole from Colonel Garrard. Will you have the kindness to have rifle powder forwarded to me, not only to return that borrowed, but also for further distribution among the mountain men. The ammunition sent yesterday was to be delivered to the men mentioned by my brother in his letter to you. Lead and caps are also needed.

We thank you, general, for your assurance that as soon as you can you will move towards East Tennessee. Our men and officers have entire confidence in you and shall be most happy to see you in our midst. If the reports made to me to-day are true-and they seem to reliable-we might get possession of the mountain passes without loss or even opposition. Do you not think so?

I am persuaded you will do what is right and proper.

With respect,

S.P. CARTER, Acting Brigadier-General, Commanding East Tennessee Brigade.

NOVEMBER 13,1861.

General W.T. SHERMAN:

I send the foregoing copy of a communication just received from Acting Brigadier-General Carter, and I will add that this is confirmed from other sources which I have heretofore to be reliable.

Should it not be necessary for me to move back of Kentucky River under the present circumstances, I think it would be as well to concentrate at Somerset, the importance of Cumberland Ford not now being