Chap.XII.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. - CONFEDERATE.
NASHVILLE, October 6, 1861.
W. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General:
There is some difficulty in the way of crossing Tennessee River. The boat will carry but 100 persons each trip. There are other boats that may be gotten to help by sending order. I can get Colonel Heiman to see that other boats leave there to help.
V. K. STEVENSON.
NASHVILLE, October 6, 1861.
Colonel W. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General:
I cannot now communicate with the crossing in time for your arrival, but hearing from Colonel Heiiman that there are pilots and officers there to run the boats, knowing the ferry-boat would not answer your purpose, I wanted to inform you the boats were there, that you may get them when you arrive promptly to fire up and help you over.
V. K. STEVENSON, Quartermaster.
NASHVILLE, October 6, 1861.
W. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General:
I have ordered all the machinery on the north of Cumberland, making 150 cars, with locomotives, to be at the crossing of Tennessee River to-morrow morning, supposing this to be sufficient to move the men and outfit. The wagons and horses were not named in the order, but the cars ordered will take a part of them and will have to come back for the balance. The ferry-boat will not take you over in two days. There are four other boats lying at the crossing which may be ordered by you to assist.
V. K. STEVENSON, Quartermaster.
CAMP BUCKNER, October 6, 1861.
Lieutenant-Colonel MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General, Columbus, Ky.:
SIR: A reconnoitering detachment has just returned from London, reporting no appearance of an enemy there. They report, upon general information from country people, that there are 3,300 of the enemy encamped on Rockcastle Hills, a strong position 13 miles beyond, where the Mount Vernon road crosses the Rockcastle River. I would move forward and attack them instantly but for unexpected deficiency in subsistence stores. Ten days ago I ordered the brigade commissary to accumulate a stock of 30 days' rations for 5,000 men. To-day I have not 5 day's rations. I could not properly advance with less than 10. I hope soon to have the supplies.
I sent a large detachment into Harlan County, where I heard there were 500 or 600 men embodied under arms. No organized enemy found. I have sent a cavalry detachment to Williamsburg; not yet returned. This is nearly my only means of getting information of the country.
Very respectfully,
F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, Brigadier-General.
N. B. - Thirteen men were captured in Harlan in small armed parties.
