CHAP.XII.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-CONFEDERATE.
the direction of Cumberland Gaps to draw me out, while their principal forces will be moved on the roads from Williamsburg to Jackborough and from Monticello to jamestown. He represents their forces at 20,000, and says that Lincoln recruiting officers are to be in every country in East Tennessee within ten days.
Captain Askby, a very reliable and efficient officer, who commander the cavalry company, reports that the road from Williamsburg to Jacksborough is now being worked. I started three other cavalry companies to Jacksborough this evening, with instructions to reconnoiter the road from Jacksborough to Williamsburg, and I start two infantry regiments from this point to Jacksborough early to-morrow morning. Others will be placed at intermediate points between here and there. I have seven cavalry companies scouting back as far as Barboursville. One of their small picket parties was fired on this morning from the bushes, when, giving chase, they killed one man and captured four horses. They report that they have information that a cavalry picket of the enemy had advanced to within a mile or two of Barboursville, and our cavalry were advancing to meet them where the courier was sent to me.
Very respectfully,
F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, Brigadier-General.
HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT,
Bowling Green, Ky., October 31, 1861.
Major General LEONIDAS POLK, Commanding First Division, Western Department: GENERAL: In your letter of October 27 you say: " I much regret that the regiments I might send to his (Thompson's) aid are still unarmed and the I am not in a condition to help him. This will be done as soon as I can send them forward."
I am instructed by the general to advise you that your force is not now, nor in his calculation likely to be, more than sufficient to do the work assigned you.
Your front, and particularly your right flank, require incessant watching, and may at any moment demand all the force at your disposal.
The Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers afford lines of transportation by which an army may turn your right with ease and rapidity,a and any surplus you may be able to spare from the left flank on the Mississippi can well be used to secure you against such movements.
General Thompson's force, active and most useful as now used, as partisans, is large enough for its work. To swell his ranks by detachments from your command without raising it to an army would destroy its charged and not increase its usefulness.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. W. MACKALL.
COLUMBUS, KY., October 31, 1861.
Colonel W. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General, Bowling Green, Ky.:
I beg leave to call the attention of the general commanding to the importance of having some commander of large experience and military efficiency put in charge of the defense of the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. Of the very great importance of these channels of communication
