CHAP.XII.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC-CONFEDERATE.

deavor to procure a battery suitable for service. I have no idea (he will explain) that these guns will stand the firing of sot them. Report reached me at a late hour last night by express that the enemy were strengthening at Ashbysburg, and that the Union men north of me where preparing to join them. I have scouts in front (consuming all available cavalry) and watch them closely. I have reconnoitered around this place, looking for a place to give the best fight I can. I repeat again I need re-enforcements of every arm. Cavalry first is important, as explanted ion my former letter. I am not frightened, but only appreciate, as you would do were you in my place, the condition of things here.

Respectfully, yours,

LLOYD TILGHMAN, Brigadier-General, C. S. Army, Commanding.

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS,

Cumberland Gap, October 31, 1861.

General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General:

Certain information is almost impossible, but if the enemy's force now marching this way is what I suppose, a much larger force should be placed in defense of the long line of passes from Cumberland Gap to Jamestown.

F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, Brigadier-General.

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS,

Cumberland Gap, October 31, 1861.

Colonel STANTON, Colonel MURRAY, and Colonel McCLELLAN, Near Jamestown:

Lieutenant-Colonel Mackall, General Johnston's assistant adjutant-general, telegraphs from Bowling Green that " Stanton has been ordered to Wolden Pass; also the available force of Murray and Bledsoe to Jamestown, Tenn. Both come under your [my] orders."

Where Wolden Pass is I do not know. It is important I should immediately have a perfect understanding and communication with Colonels Stanton and Murray and Captain Bledsoe. There is reason to believe the enemy intends advancing in force upon East Tennessee. Whether the route by Cumberland Gap, by Jacksborough, or by Jamestown will be selected, cannot be definitely determined. I have seven cavalry companies scouting back to Barboursville on this road, fourt back to Williamsburg on the Jacksborough route, and I wish Lieutenant-Colonel McClullan to scout on the road from Jamestown back to Monticello, and, if practicable, to Sta[e]gall's Ferry, to get the earliest possible reliable information of the enemy, and communicate it to me by express messengers. I am moving two regiments to Jacksborough this morning. Two others will be place at Big Creek Gap. Four will remain here on in the neighborhood.

I wish Colonel Stanton and Colonel Murray to take a strong position near Jamestown and throw up entrenchments, looking to the protection of the commissary stores and the stopping the enemy's advance. Let the cavalry communicate to them promptly any intelligence received; and if any movement of the enemy is made in force, let information be