OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP.XII.

Johnston. The enemy is advancing in large force, and my defenses only sufficient at one of the three main passes. One of the others it now seems probable will be selected by the enemy. Could I get other howitzers, they should be sent by Knoxville to Jacksborough.

F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, Brigadier-General.

CUMBERLAND GAP, November 2, 1861.

Lieutenant-Colonel MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General:

I have reason to suppose that the enemy is advancing by a route west of this. Expecting hourly certain information. Passes near Jacksborough and Jamestown not fortified. Concentrating chief infantry force near Jacksborough, and will start 6-pounder battery and Parrott guns to-morrow. Telegraphed War Department to-day for other 8-inch howitzers.

F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, Brigadier-General.

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Cumberland Gap, November 2, 1861.

Colonel W. B. WOOD, Sixteenth Regiment Alabama Volunteers, Knoxville, Tenn.:

SIR: I have good reason to expect that the enemy is advancing toward East Tennessee, on the road to Jacksborough or that to Jamestown. Colonels Cummings' and Newman's regiments are by this time at Jacksborough, and this morning the Mississippi regiment will start, and this evening, I hope, Colonel Battle and Churchwell, and the detachment of yours under Lieutenant-Colonel Harris, will at present remain here.I trust you got off my dispatches to Colonel Murray and Lieutenant-Colonel McClellan by express messengers to Jamestown. I have not heard a word from them, and feel some anxiety about it. I infer from dispatch from General Johnston that Colonel Stanton is in the same neighborhood. I remember the strong expression of your wish to be with us, and I would be pleased to gratify it, but certain indications in East Tennessee render your post now a most important and responsible one, and I must beg of your cheerfully to occupy it, and hold the balance of your regiment with you until we can more clearly see what are the exigencies before us. I wish I could have you and all your gallant men with me, but in your present position, in present circumstances, your services are invaluable.

Very respectfully,

F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, Brigadier-General.

WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, November 3, 1861.

General A. SIDNEY JOHNSTON, Bowling Green, Ky.:

SIR: Your letters of 19th* and 22nd ultimo have been received. The Department was unwilling under the circumstances to interfere with

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*Not found, but see Johnston to Benjamin, October 18, p. 459; see also Benjamin to Johnston, November 10, p. 532.

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